As we all catch our breath from a busy holiday season, it’s a great time to consider how to keep the spirit of giving and helping others alive throughout the entire year. It seems to be a perfect time to look at all of the good this spirit has enabled the Mercy Children’s Hospital (MCH) Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) to spread throughout this past year.

The help of the MCH Foundation and CMN made 2002 a successful year for program growth, research and child service enhancements. CMN is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for, and awareness of, children’s hospitals. The Foundation distributes those funds and ensures the programs supported are consistent with our mission and actively promote the vision and priorities of MCH.

CMN produces the largest television fund-raiser in the world. The fund-raising campaign and broadcast, both called CMN Champions, benefit children’s hospitals across the country. All funds raised by CMN stay in the community in which they were donated.

In 2002, funds raised supported a variety of important pediatric programs for the coming year.

2002 Highlights Here are a few of the programs MCH and CMN supported in 2002: Child Advocacy Continued support for the Office of Child Advocacy and Parent Advocacy Program, along with the creation of a program and treatment services for child obesity. Pediatric Diabetes Creation of Inpatient and Outpatient Diabetes Care and Education Program. Equipment for a variety of areas The Neonatal ICU, MCO-Kobacker Center, Pediatric Anesthesia, Cardiology, and Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation. Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics Programs to enhance services for special needs children, including Spina Bifida Camp and Autism Intervention. Research Support for increased pediatric-related research. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology & Cardiology Enrichment programs for pediatric cancer and heart patients and their families. Pediatrics at the Family Care Center & MCO Development of an integrated model of pediatric mental health services. Child Life Program Therapeutic enrichment programs for pediatric and adolescent patients. Thanks to the help of organizations such as CMN and the generosity of our community, MCH looks forward to a great year in 2003.