National Charity

Purchase a Children's Miracle Network Balloon and Help Support Rite Aid's Commitment to 117 Children's Hospitals

Rite Aid Chairman, President and CEO Mary Sammons, Miracle Child Josh Sundquist and Special Advisor, Corporate Strategy Jim Mastrian at the company’s annual management conference and supplier exhibition in August 2007.

On March 23rd 2008, Rite Aid will kick off its 14th annual Children's Miracle Network balloon campaign. Since 1994, Rite Aid associates and customers have raised and donated more than $30 million to support pediatric medical services, ground breaking research and state-of-the-art technology that saves children's lives everyday.

Every dollar that is donated at your local Rite Aid store goes directly to the Children's Hospital in your community. Plus, when you purchase a Children's Miracle Network balloon, you automatically get $8 in oral care, beauty and photo offers.

Children's Miracle Network hospitals hire the best pediatric doctors to insure that children treated at these hospitals get the best care available. Children's Miracle network funds improve the health and save the lives of 17 million children each year, benefiting more children than any other children’s cause or organization.

Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide $2.5 billion in uncompensated (charity) care each year. These hospitals combine to treat 98% of all children in North America needing heart and lung transplants and 88% of all children with cancer. Children's Miracle Network hospitals are committed to treating every disease and injury imaginable.

It's very clear how Children's Miracle Network is making a difference in the lives of children our communities. The organization could not accomplish that without the generosity of Rite Aid customers.

Please support Rite Aid in it's efforts to raise funds that may one day help a child who is close to your heart.

The 2008 Children's Miracle Network balloon campaign will run March 23 – May 10.

Miracle Child Sean Brame

Miracle Child nine-year-old Sean Brame of York Haven, PA.

Nine-year-old Sean Brame of York Haven loved playing soccer, camping and riding his bike. All that changed in April 2005 when he sprained his ankle at a soccer practice. He began to display symptoms that his parents thought to be the common flu. His condition rapidly deteriorated and he was rushed to Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in the pediatric ambulance.

Sean had developed a severe bacterial infection that caused his major organs to fail. Septic shock began to cut off the circulation to his limbs. As a result, Sean had to have both legs amputated below the knee, his right hand amputated at the wrist and most of his fingers taken from his left hand.

He was a fighter from the first day of his twelve-week stay at Children's Hospital. He was not given much chance of survival, but Sean, his family and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staff never lost hope.

Sean beat the odds and continues to make progress every day. He has learned to walk and run all over again and has developed a love of swimming. Sean is back in school and has learned to write and type using what he calls his one "lucky" finger. And he's even planning his return to his travel soccer team.

Through his journey, Sean understands that each day he has on earth is a gift and he makes sure he uses his time wisely. He and his family are grateful to Children's Miracle Network and the staff at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.

He is a true miracle!