\nWith coins and dollar bills, Rite Aid customers have generously supported Children\u2019s Miracle Network Hospitals for more than a quarter-century, with the collective effort surpassing $100 million in overall giving following the company\u2019s 2020 Miracle Balloon Campaign.\n<\/p>\n
\nThis past summer, Rite Aid customers donated $1.9 million during the annual Miracle Balloon Campaign, which ran eight weeks across more than 2,400 stores in 18 states. Rite Aid has conducted the campaign for 26 years, with associates rallying to the cause to raise donations to fund patient services, critical care, life-saving equipment, pediatric programs and more at children\u2019s hospitals.\n<\/p>\n
\nRecognizing the profound need posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Rite Aid Foundation this year will contribute an additional $3.5 million in grant funding on top of the funds raised in stores to support the 53 CMN Hospitals within Rite Aid\u2019s footprint. Separately, the Foundation this spring supported children\u2019s hospitals during the acute onset of the pandemic with a $250,000 grant.\n<\/p>\n
\nAs a healthcare and retail company delivering services in urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods and communities, Rite Aid\u2019s partnership with local children\u2019s hospitals provides a conduit for customers to support the health and well-being of kids faced with both serious medical conditions and socioeconomic and racial inequities that challenge them to securing the care they need.\n<\/p>\n
\nSupport for children\u2019s hospitals and children\u2019s health serves as a point of community pride for the company and its workforce each year and has been embraced by the surrounding community and corporate vendors. Much of the $100 million has been raised a dollar at a time from Rite Aid customers, through the purchase of Miracle Balloon coupons or straight donations. All funds stay local to the children\u2019s hospital in their community and region.\n<\/p>\n
\u201c<\/b>This milestone is the culmination of millions and millions of small acts of kindness, compassion and care for each other. Raised dollar by dollar over more than 25 years, these funds have literally saved lives and changed children\u2019s futures,\u201d said Jessica Kazmaier, president of The Rite Aid Foundation and executive vice president, chief human resources officer at Rite Aid. \u201cWe are grateful for the care that children\u2019s hospitals provide to our neighborhoods and thank our loyal customers for everyday generosity that has accumulated into immeasurable, life-changing impact.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nCombined, Rite Aid and The Rite Aid Foundation will support Children\u2019s Miracle Network Hospitals with more than $5.6 million of collective support in 2020, bringing the company\u2019s overall giving to more than $102 million. Rite Aid is one of seven corporate partners to surpass the $100 million milestone in support of CMN Hospitals since the network was founded in 1983.\n<\/p>\n
\nThis year\u2019s corporate and philanthropic support comes during a critical time when children\u2019s hospitals across the country have found themselves on the frontlines of a generation-defining pandemic. Hospitals have responded by marshaling personal protective equipment, developing new ways to deliver therapeutic programs to patients and contributing to the COVID-19 vaccine development effort. In some cases, children\u2019s hospitals have used their pediatric intensive care units to treat adults with the coronavirus.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSurpassing the $100 million fundraising milestone is a tremendous testament to Rite Aid\u2019s years of dedication to building healthier communities and transforming how our network of children\u2019s hospitals meets the most urgent needs, saving more lives and protecting our collective future,\u201d said Teri Nestel, president and CEO of Children\u2019s Miracle Network Hospitals. \u201cWe are grateful to Rite Aid\u2019s customers, vendors and associates for confronting the many challenges of 2020 to help us change kids\u2019 health, and change the future \u2013 for all of us.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nWhile 2020 has provided a distinct set of challenges for children\u2019s hospitals, their critical work has spanned decades. During Rite Aid\u2019s years supporting CMN Hospitals, millions of children in cities such as Baltimore, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Seattle have been given the gift of better health because of the care they have received and the advancements made by local hospitals, with examples below:\n<\/p>\n
- \n
- \nIn Fresno, California, and its surrounding community, philanthropic dollars have supported Valley Children\u2019s Hospital\u2019s expansion into a powerful network of care that treats all pediatric patients, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2020, Valley Children\u2019s Hospital was ranked as one of the country\u2019s best children\u2019s hospitals for the fifth year in a row, with seven noted specialties.\n<\/li>\n
- \nIn Philadelphia, The Rite Aid Foundation grant funding has supported the Healthier Together Initiative, which stretches beyond the hospital\u2019s walls to address nonmedical issues such as healthy behaviors, socioeconomic factors and environmental elements that comprise the social determinants of health.\n<\/li>\n
- \nIn New York, Cohen Children\u2019s Medical Center\u2019s trauma program is the largest Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in New York State as credited by the American College of Surgeons.\n<\/li>\n
- \nIn Washington, kids with complex conditions require seamless coordination amongst their many providers and specialists. From neurology, cardiology, endocrinology, neurodevelopmental and more. And that\u2019s exactly why 2-year-old Malachi\u2019s family moved across the state to be closer to Seattle Children\u2019s, where they’re able to see all of them in one place.\n<\/li>\n
- \nOutside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Penn State Children\u2019s Hospital recently began treating their first child to receive a new gene therapy to combat spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that can strip children of their ability to walk, eat or breathe.\n<\/li>\n
- \nIn Detroit, Beaumont Children\u2019s Center for Exceptional Families expanded their therapeutic summer camps, social skills and support groups and added to the outdoor inclusive playground that offers accessible play equipment for all children. The Center for Exceptional Families offers comprehensive medical, rehabilitation, recreational and social support for children with special needs or life-threatening injuries.\n<\/li>\n
- \nAnd, in Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Children\u2019s Center has expanded its newborn intensive care unit (NICU) to nearly 50 beds, the largest in Maryland.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nAdditionally, Rite Aid\u2019s support has amplified Johns Hopkins Children\u2019s Center efforts to provide the Baltimore community and inpatient population with services like its Hopkins Community Connection program.\n<\/p>\n
\nLaunched almost 15 years ago, Hopkins Community Connection addresses the essential social needs that can directly impact a patient\u2019s health and put them at greater risk for chronic illnesses. The program typically serves 400 families at a time, providing access to food and necessities such as infant formula and diapers, but the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed enrollment to skyrocket to 850 families.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOur program offers a connection to those resources that families often don\u2019t know they\u2019re eligible for or may not know how to access,\u201d said Dr. Barry Solomon, chief of the division of general pediatrics at Johns Hopkins. \u201cWe really serve the whole health picture, not just of the patient, but of the family. Families could have questions about their insurance, where to get food or how to get the lights back on. And, no matter who they ask, they\u2019ll be connected to a resource to solve the problem.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nPlease see below for the full list of CMN Hospitals supported by Rite Aid.\n<\/p>\n
About Children\u2019s Miracle Network Hospitals <\/b><\/p>\n
\nChildren\u2019s Miracle Network Hospitals\u00ae raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children\u2019s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity\u2019s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit\u2019s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children\u2019s hospitals need community support and learn about your member hospital at www.CMNHospitals.org<\/a> and facebook.com\/CMNHospitals<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n
About Rite Aid Corporation <\/b><\/p>\n
\nRite Aid Corporation is on the front lines of delivering healthcare services and retail products to more than 1.6 million Americans daily. Our pharmacists are uniquely positioned to engage with customers and improve their health outcomes. We provide an array of whole being health products and services for the entire family through over 2,400 retail pharmacy locations across 18 states. Through Elixir, we provide pharmacy benefits and services to approximately 4 million members nationwide. For more information, www.riteaid.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n
About The Rite Aid Foundation<\/b><\/p>\n
\nThe Rite Aid Foundation, the philanthropic organization of a leading healthcare company and trusted neighborhood pharmacy, drives leadership and progress that impacts the health and wellness of everyone in our communities. Working with a network of nearly 500 nonprofit organizations, the Foundation has a special focus on underserved and disadvantaged populations and locations, advancing racial equity and serving as a catalyst for positive change.\n<\/p>\n
CMN Hospitals Supported by Rite Aid and The Rite Aid Foundation<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n
- \n
- \nAkron Children\u2019s Hospital, Akron, Ohio\n<\/li>\n
- \nArnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nAsante Ashland Community Hospital, Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, Ashland, Oregon\n<\/li>\n
- \nBaystate Children\u2019s Hospital, Springfield, Massachusetts\n<\/li>\n
- \nBeaumont Children\u2019s, Royal Oak, Michigan\n<\/li>\n
- \nBernard & Millie Duker Children\u2019s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nBoston Children\u2019s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts\n<\/li>\n
- \nChildren\u2019s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado\n<\/li>\n
- \nChildren\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nChildren\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania\n<\/li>\n
- \nChildren\u2019s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Richmond, Virginia\n<\/li>\n
- \nChildren\u2019s Hospital of The King\u2019s Daughters, Norfolk, Virginia\n<\/li>\n
- \nChildren\u2019s Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, New Jersey\n<\/li>\n
- \nCHOC Children\u2019s, Orange, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nCincinnati Children\u2019s, Cincinnati, Ohio\n<\/li>\n
- \nCohen Children\u2019s Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nConnecticut Children\u2019s, Hartford, Connecticut\n<\/li>\n
- \nCottage Children\u2019s Medical Center, Santa Barbara, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nDayton Children\u2019s Hospital, Dayton, Ohio\n<\/li>\n
- \nGeisinger Janet Weis Children\u2019s Hospital, Danville, Pennsylvania\n<\/li>\n
- \nGolisano Children\u2019s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nHelen DeVos Children\u2019s Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan\n<\/li>\n
- \nHurley Children\u2019s Hospital, Flint, Michigan\n<\/li>\n
- \nJohn R. Oishei, Children\u2019s Hospital, Buffalo, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nJohns Hopkins Children\u2019s Center, Baltimore, Maryland\n<\/li>\n
- \nLauren Small Children\u2019s Center, Bakersfield, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nMaria Fareri Children\u2019s Hospital, Valhalla, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nMercy Children\u2019s Hospital, Toledo, Ohio\n<\/li>\n
- \nMohawk Valley Health System, Utica, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nNationwide Children\u2019s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio\n<\/li>\n
- \nOHSU Doernbecher Children\u2019s Hospital, Portland, Oregon\n<\/li>\n
- \nPeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, Springfield, Oregon\n<\/li>\n
- \nPenn State Children\u2019s Hospital, Hershey, Pennsylvania\n<\/li>\n
- \nPhoenix Children\u2019s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona\n<\/li>\n
- \nRady Children\u2019s Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nRenown Children\u2019s Hospital, Reno, Nevada\n<\/li>\n
- \nRiley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Indiana\n<\/li>\n
- \nSacred Heart Children\u2019s Hospital, Spokane, Washington\n<\/li>\n
- \nSaint Vincent Hospital, Erie, Pennsylvania\n<\/li>\n
- \nSalinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Salinas, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nSamaritan Medical Center, Watertown, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nSeattle Children\u2019s Hospital, Seattle, Washington\n<\/li>\n
- \nSparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan\n<\/li>\n
- \nSt. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s, Boise Idaho\n<\/li>\n
- \nThe University of Vermont Children\u2019s Hospital, Burlington, Vermont\n<\/li>\n
- \nUC Davis Children\u2019s Hospital, Sacramento, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nUCSF Benioff Children\u2019s Hospitals, Oakland, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nUniversity Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children\u2019s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio\n<\/li>\n
- \nUPMC Children\u2019s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania\n<\/li>\n
- \nUpstate Golisano Children\u2019s Hospital, Syracuse, New York\n<\/li>\n
- \nValley Children\u2019s Hospital, Madera, California\n<\/li>\n
- \nVirginia Mason Memorial Hospital, Yakima, Washington\n<\/li>\n
- \nWVU Medicine Children\u2019s, Morgantown, West Virginia\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
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View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20201208005748\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nMEDIA:
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Andrew Staub
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717-649-2437
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andrew.staub@riteaid.com<\/a><\/p>\nKEYWORDS:<\/b> United States North America Pennsylvania<\/p>\n
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Other Retail Specialty Philanthropy Other Health Fund Raising General Health Health Foundation Other Philanthropy Retail<\/p>\n
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