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Miracle Makers: Making Fundraising Personal

For the first few years of Chad Jansma’s nearly 18 years at Walmart, he participated in Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraisers in any way he could. He thought, “Let’s hope I never have to use this.” But in 2005, Chad’s 7-month-old son, Eli, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the CMN Hospitals cause took on a whole new—and much more real—role in his life.

Eli underwent a craniotomy that successfully removed 80 percent of the tumor, which was followed by a grueling 15 months of chemotherapy until he achieved remission. Along the way, the hospital staff and Chad’s associates at his Worthington, Minnesota, store were a constant source of positivity and support for both Chad and Eli.

Chad and his coworkers enthusiastically participated in bake sales, cake decorating contests, t-shirt sales, and many other fundraisers. “At the store level, associates go all out. It’s personal to them, because they know it’s personal to me,” Chad says. In addition to all the fundraisers they participate in, Chad’s associates go out of their way to give as much support to Chad and Eli as they can. When after six years in remission, Eli’s cancer returned, Chad’s coworkers all donned Steelers jerseys and took pictures for Eli, because they knew how much Eli loves the team. “Nobody here is a Steelers fan!” Chad says.

Actively supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is personal for Chad because his child has been directly affected, but as he says, “CMN Hospitals can affect everybody, whether they know it or not.”Support your community’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at your local Walmart or Sam’s Club today!