Children’s Miracle Network (Fargo Region)

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is an international non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by raising funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals throughout North America.

Sanford Children’s Hospital (in Fargo, ND) is the only hospital in North Dakota to participate. They’re also the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in North Dakota.

This organization is near and dear to our hearts because we noticed stickers that said “Donated by Children’s Miracle Network” on equipment keeping Gabrielle alive. Interesting Fact: Patients are not billed for the use of any donated equipment.

Lynze and I were live on the radio on Friday, January 26th, 2018. You can listen to that previously recorded segment on Y94 (Fargo) here.

Donate to this wonderful organization directly to our team at http://cmn.gabee.org/

Sanford Foundation (Fargo Region)

Children’s Miracle Network is more-so a branch of Sanford Foundation in the Fargo region.  But, by donating to the Sanford Foundation, the donor can choose to support many different areas of healthcare related causes — from the premature kids in the NICU to the Cancer center.

We support this organization because it’s directly part of the hospital that set the bar so unbelievably high for us.  We spent over 100 days at Sanford Children’s between the NICU and PICU and we had an unforgettable, positive experience with the tremendous staff — day in and day out.

Give in honor of a loved one at http://www.sanfordhealth.org/foundation/fargo-nd

GiGi’s Playhouse (Fargo)

GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center’s mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. We offer free therapeutic and educational programming to individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

GiGi’s Playhouse in Fargo didn’t open until after Gabrielle’s passing, but we did participate in the first annual “Buddy Walk” in Fargo in October of 2014.

You can donate to support this organization in memory / honor of Gabrielle or any other loved ones who have (or had) Down Syndrome.

Make-A-Wish (North Dakota)

Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories, on average, every 35 minutes. We believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us. It inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve.

It’s always heartwarming to hear the stories of Make-A-Wish recipients.  Make-A-Wish is such an awesome charity where over 80% of funds go to the cause.

Help grant the wish of a child with a life-threatening medical condition by donating to Make-A-Wish.

Ronald McDonald House in Fargo

The Ronald McDonald House is located near Sanford Children’s in North Fargo.  It’s a great option for an out-of-town family who needs to frequently stay in the area while their child is in the hospital.  Hotels can get expensive and the Ronald McDonald House is available for little or nothing.

We didn’t utilize this option, but it’s a wonderful option for the less fortunate.

Aside from donating your spare change at McDonald’s restaurants around the world, you can donate online here.

March of Dimes (North Dakota Chapter)

The overall mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

While we didn’t receive any direct support from March of Dimes, we still feel it’s a very worthy cause.  8.4% of babies in North Dakota are born too soon.  March of Dimes works hard to reduce these numbers annually.

P.S. If you believe everything you read on Facebook, you may have read that only 10% goes to ‘the cause’.  The opposite is true — about 10% is Administrative / employee costs.  See for yourself at CharityNavigator.org.