Dairy Queen supports CMN Hospitals

Today, July 26, Dairy Queens from around the country are doing a fundraising drive -- for each Blizzard sold, participating DQs are making a contribution to CMN Hospitals.   This is incredibly generous.  Today, our family visited one of the local participating DQs.  The owner and employees of the Richmond, Virginia store on Parham Road were incredibly kind and generous, as were employees representing Dairy Queen Virginia Corporate headquarters.   We took the time to tell everyone about Kyla's medical journey and Kyla told them about the importance of CMN hospitals and how they are unique and different from traditional hospitals with some pediatric care.  And, Kyla got to help make her own Blizzard!

Lemon-Aid!!

Today was the kick off celebration for the Anthem "Lemon-Aid" event.  From Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22, people all over the Richmond area will be hosting lemonade stands with all proceeds going to pediatric cancer research at our local CMN hospital -- Richmond Children's Hospital.   Kyla participated in the kick off, at which local radio and television helped bring attention to this wonderful event.  

Kyla and CMN Hospitals Supporters in local paper

We were thrilled to see that Kyla and CMN Hospitals supporters were featured in our local paper.  The story is below:


Hanover girl featured on special Kellogg’s boxes Published: July 05, 2012

 

Photo submitted by Matt Brady
Kyla Roerty of Hanover County autographed boxes of Frosted Flakes with Tony the Tiger for guests at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts and Cheez-It boxes event.

Contributed Report
news@mechlocal.com

Food Lion stores are exclusively carrying specially-designed Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts® and Cheez-It® boxes.

Kyla Roerty of Hanover County joined Tony the Tiger in unveiling the packages and signing autographs.

Kellogg is donating $1 to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for every four boxes sold, up to $50,000.

Kyla, who is being treated at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, joins four other patients selected for the event.

She battles cerebral palsy and was treated at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond.

The other children are being treated for: leukemia at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; a rare blood disorder at Vidant Children’s Hospital in Greenville, N.C.; a heart defect at The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Md.; and leukemia at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia, S.C.

“These inspiring pediatric patients are just five of the 17 million kids treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year,” said John Lauck, president and CEO, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “We are so pleased that Food Lion and Kellogg Company are working together to help share the message that children’s hospitals rely on community support and to raise much-needed funds that will benefit millions of kids.”

A Special Day

Yesterday was a very special day for Kyla.   Through the generosity of Food Lion grocery stores and Kellogg's, Kyla's picture and her CMN Hospitals Champion's story will be featured on S'Mores Pop Tart boxes and Kellogg's Frosted Flakes sold in Food Lion stores.  The Champions for other states on the east coast where Food Lion has stores will likewise be featured on Pop Tarts boxes and Frosted Flakes.  And, for each box of the Pop Tarts and Frosted Flakes sold, 25 cents will be donated to CMN Hospitals!   The kick off for this program was held yesterday at the Forest Hill Avenue Food Lion store.  We had a great turn out, with CMN Hospitals' generous partners, ACE Hardware, Kellogg's and Food Lion all represented.   Kyla had her picture taken with the Food Lion mascot and "Tony the Tiger", autographed Pop Tarts and Frosted Flakes boxes for customers, and did an interview with our local ABC affiliate, Channel 8.  Channel 8 generously featured a news story on Kyla and the importance of the CMN Hospitals.

Recognizing those who help CMN Hospitals

On Saturday, June 2nd, Kyla was asked to be a "guest bagger" at the Brook Road Walmart store, because the management, employees and customers of that store raised more money than any other area Walmart store for CMN Hospitals!  Kyla's family and another great family from Richmond Children's Hospital were on site to greet customers, thank the employees and to help out at the cash registers by bagging groceries and putting them in the customers' carts.   As you can see, Kyla was right at home being an ambassador for CMN Hospitals and our local CMN hospital.  Everyone -- management, employees and customers -- were so warm and welcoming and it was a great experience.   Many customers stopped by the local CMN hospital table to make additional contributions.   Thank you all!

Helping Kids with Cancer

For the past decade during the summer months, kids in Richmond have had lemonade stands where the money they raise goes towards pediatric cancer research.  2012 is no exception, with money from the Anthem LemonAid fundraiser going towards the pediatric oncology clinic at our local CMN hospital -- Richmond Children's Hospital.  Yesterday, they filmed the television commercial promoting the fundraiser, which will air next month.   Kyla joined a group of other Richmond Children's Hospital patients to appear in the commercial.  Everyone had a great time, as this photo shows!

Thanking those who support CMN Hospitals

Last week, Kyla, her Mom and Rachel from Richmond Children's Hospital went to the West Broad Street Costco store to thank them for their tireless fundraising efforts on behalf of Children's Hospital and CMN Hospitals.   The employees treated Kyla so well and were so supportive.  They even made Kyla an honorary Costco employee!   Here is her badge.  Thank you, Costco!!!