National Charity

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

On March 28, 2010, Rite Aid kicked off its 16th annual paper Miracle balloon campaign to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network, a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals. This year's campaign marks Rite Aid's 16th anniversary as a Children's Miracle Network Sponsor. Since 1994, Rite Aid associates, suppliers and customers have raised and donated more than $41 million to support pediatric medical services, ground-breaking research and state-of-the-art technology that improves and saves the lives of children every day.

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 balloon, you automatically get $7 in health and beauty coupons.

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, benefitting 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 are committed to treating every disease and injury imaginable, including pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, asthma and accident trauma. Children's Miracle Network hospitals combine to treat 98% of all children needing heart or lung transplants and 88% of all children with cancer.

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

Please support Rite Aid in its efforts to raise fund that may one day help a child who is close to your heart.

The 2010 Children's Miracle Network Paper Miracle Balloon Campaign will run March 28-May 15.

Anthony Beats the Odds

Miracle Child six-year-old Anthony Peabody

Born with several strikes against him, it's truly a miracle Anthony Peabody made it home.

Anthony came into the world three months early, suffering from bacterial meningitis and severe bleeding in his brain. These conditions caused hydrocephalus, a dangerous brain fluid build-up that can be fatal. Because of the grave risks posed to his cognitive and physical development, Anthony's mom, Lisa, was told he might never walk or talk, if he survived.

Just two weeks old, Anthony came to Children's Hospital Boston. Children's was the first hospital to treat hydrocephalus in children by using shunts, long thin plastic tubes. Doctors beat back the meningitis with antibiotics, stopped the bleeding and implanted a shunt to drain the excess fluid from his brain.

Unfortunately, shunt systems aren't perfect and must often be adjusted or replaced. Since his first visit, Anthony has had seven more surgeries. Now six, he's an energetic first grader who's always in the thick of it in his classroom. "He walks, talks and does all kinds of things people didn't think he'd be able to do," says Lisa.

But Anthony's battle isn't over. Because hydrocephalus has no known cure, he'll face a lifetime of hospital visits. Thanks to the generous support of the Children's Miracle Network and Rite Aid, children like Anthony will always receive the on-going care their lives depend on.