Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals across North America.
Children’s Miracle Network’s founding pledge, to keep 100% of donations in the local area in which they are raised, remains at the core of its philosophy.
Children’s Miracle Network has also evolved to become the dominant organization actively providing better healthcare for millions of children through its associated hospitals. The 170 children’s hospitals affiliated with Children’s Miracle Network represent the premier facilities in their respective communities, and some of the finest hospitals in the world.
Shodair Children's Hospital joined Children’s Miracle Network in 1987, and is the only Children’s Miracle Network-affiliated hospital in Montana. One hundred percent (100%) of the funds raised through the Children’s Miracle Network Program in Montana stay in Montana to help Shodair Children's Hospital to provide the finest psychiatric care to our young patients in a supportive family-centered environment.
For information on Children’s Miracle Network giving opportunities, please contact Glen Newhart, CFRE, Foundation Director at (406) 444-7560 or via email at gnewhart@shodair.org.
Meet our Champion Child
Abryanna Nelson Named Montana's 2010 Champion Child
In November 2003, Abryanna woke up very sick. Her stomach was swollen and painful. Rushed to the hospital, she was experiencing kidney and liver failure in connection with cardiomiopathy, a form of heart disease. After nearly one month in Intensive Care, Abryanna was able to return home to Glendive on Christmas Eve.
Everything was relatively normal until 2007, when Abryanna was continually dizzy, often falling down. Her grandmother, Rita Nelson, thought this was the result of growth spurts, but when Abryanna fell face-forward and chipped a tooth, Rita knew something was seriously wrong. After several tests, Abryanna was diagnosed with Friedrich’s Ataxia, a very rare genetic disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system and is often recognized by symptoms including gait and speech problems, as well as heart disease.
Today, Abryanna doesn’t let her walker stop her from missing roller skating parties every Friday night. Since she isn’t able to do much skating, she mostly socializes on the sidelines and wins friends easily with her smile.
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