Category Archives: Children’s Miracle Network
In Duluth, Minn., Karate Helps Kids at Gillette
From golf tournaments to bowl-a-thons and even kids’ triathlons, our Children’s Miracle Network team at Gillette can turn most any sporting event into a fundraiser for our patients and families. The tournament, held at the Mattevi Martial Arts Academy in Duluth, Minn., was no exception. This year the tournament featured twelve teams of 83 competitors ranging in age from 5 to 60, and hailing from Minnesota, Wisconsin and even Michigan. All proceeds raised from the event benefited Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Kevin Murphy, M.D., director of Gillette’s Duluth Clinic (and student at Mattevi Martial Arts) helped judge the competition, which raised more than $3,900 this year.
For the first time ever, the tournament—now in it’s ninth year—included adaptive martial arts for children and adults with disabilities. It also featured grand championship adult and junior Black Belt forms, adult Black Belt sparring, children colored belt forms, team/musical/creative forms, weapon and team weapon forms and open sparring. Duluth television station WDIO-TV captured the day’s activities on film.
When Giving is a Family Tradition
How many kids give away all of their birthday presents? Zoe Colombo did just that in December, with delivery help from her mom, Carmen Colombo (left), and grandmother, Corrinne Reed.
Zoe has an unusual outlook when it comes to birthdays. The 8-year-old isn’t interested in getting presents on her special day. Instead, she’s determined to give to others. In December, Zoe donated the gifts and money she received for her birthday to patients at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.
This isn’t the first time Zoe’s given away her birthday gifts. When she was 5 she asked the grownups in her family for money instead of gifts, which she then donated to the Animal Humane Society in Woodbury, Minn. Last year, she sent her birthday money to an orphanage in Guatemala.
Zoe’s mom, Carmen Colombo, says her daughter has always had a generous, and somewhat practical, spirit. “The first year she could really understand what Christmas was about, I asked her what she wanted,” says Colombo. “She said she wanted a picture of her family to hang in her room. That was all she asked for that year.”
Of course, Zoe’s generosity could be because of her giving family. Colombo and her husband, Brian Colombo, match Zoe’s donations, this year bringing the family’s total gift to $710. And Zoe’s grandmother, Corrinne Reed, is a longtime Gillette supporter through the employee giving campaign at Dairy Queen.
When Dairy Queen randomly selected Reed to represent the company at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration 2012, Reed says, “I knew immediately that I wanted to take Zoe with me.” There Zoe met many of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champions, kids from around the country who have disabilities, chronic conditions or cancer. “I thought it would be a life-changing experience for her,” says Reed, “and it was.”
Now Zoe’s more determined than ever to help change the lives of others. “I started paying attention and noticed that a lot of people need help,” explains Zoe. “I thought I should help.”
Sam’s Club Toy Drive a Success!
During this season of giving, Children’s Miracle Network sponsor Sam’s Club wanted to do something special for Gillette patients. Employees at 13 stores throughout Minnesota donated more than $6,500 in toys and gift certificates that will bring holiday cheer to hospitalized children. Yesterday, store associates stopped by Gillette to drop off their generous gifts. Thank you, Sam’s Club!
Save the Date! KS95 for Kids Returns December 6-7
We’re excited to welcome back the KS95 for Kids Radiothon to the airways on Thursday, December 6 and Friday, December 7! Our 14th annual radiothon will broadcast live on 94.5 FM (and from Mall of America) with KS95′s Ryan and Shannon sharing incredible stories of local children who are triumphing over complex disabilities or childhood cancer.
Your Spare Change Means Big Hope for Kids!
Looking for a fun and easy way to make a difference in the lives of local children? Sign up for KS95′s Change for Kids program today! Collect change as a family, sports team, activity group, even at your workplace. Then bring your collected change to Mall of America during the KS95 for Kids Radiothon live broadcast, December 6 and 7. When you drop off change, we’ll also be handing out Nickelodeon Universe “Mystery Passes” which could get you one ride, multiple rides or unlimited rides at the park!
Want to get the latest KS95 for Kids news and updates? “Like” KS95 for Kids on Facebook. On Twitter? Follow us @KS95forKids.
Gearing Up for Duluth Dance Marathon!
Students at the University of Minnesota – Duluth kicked off fundraising for their 2013 Dance Marathon last night, with a Battle of the Bands fundraising event. The event, which pitted seven bands against one another in friendly competition, raised more than $250 for Dance Marathon, which is slated for February 15, 2013. All Dance Marathon proceeds benefit Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.
Thanks to the Dance Marathon Executive Board for signing Gillette’s Cure Pity Pledge! Mark your calendars for a night of fun and non-stop dancing for a great cause on February 15, 2013!
Hispanic Radiothon Raises More Than $44,000!
Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare serves thousands of Latino children and families every year. Last weekend brought an exciting opportunity to connect with the Twin Cities Hispanic community through our second annual Hispanic Radiothon, Radio Rey With Love for the Kids. The event, which broadcast live on Radio Rey 630 AM, raised a record-setting $44,758 for Gillette through call-in pledges, walk-up donations and support from sponsors Land O’Lakes and Deli Express.
In a major highlight of the weekend, Gillette patient families — many whose stories were featured in pre-recorded interviews throughout Radiothon — visited the Radiothon’s on-site locations (in St. Paul on Saturday and Minneapolis on Sunday) to contribute change collected from family and friends.
Thank you to Radio Rey, Land O’Lakes, Deli Express, and the local Hispanic community for helping to 
make our Radiothon a success!
2012 Kids Triathlon
Over 125 kids participated in the 2012 Kids Triathlon which raised $4,000! Than you to the event founders, planners, and all the participants!
Tyler’s Story
When Tyler Schell, then 2 years old, fell off of his trike and broke his arm, his parents, Chris and Alison Schell, found it unusual. “It wasn’t a major fall, so I was surprised by the break,” says Chris. Then, just one year later, Tyler broke both of his arms within a week. “At that point we knew something was very wrong,” Chris explains.
Tyler was referre
d to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and Dr. Ann Van Heest, a physician who specializes in upper extremities. The family also began genetic testing, with startling results: Tyler had osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare bone disorder that occurs in less than 0.01% of the population. In fact, Chris says that only 150 people in the family’s native Australia have the condition.
Today, Tyler sees 10 different physicians at Gillette, depending on the area of his body that needs care. He also receives experimental treatments that have helped reduce his fracture rate. In addition to his Gillette team, Tyler sees one of the world’s top OI specialists in Sydney, Australia.
Although Tyler has broken more than 20 bones in his young life, he remains a happy, charming and outgoing little boy. “Tyler can win people over in a very positive way,” says Chris with a smile.
The Schells acknowledge the helplessness and unpredictability that come with Tyler’s condition. “Whether tripping on the rug or falling on the playground — we never know when the next break will be,” Chris says. But they’ve made sure he has the opportunity to be like any other kid. “Tyler knows he’s a kid who has OI — not the other way around.”
Little Miss and Little Mr. Dairy Queen
Check out this cute photo of the annual Little Miss & Little Mr. Dairy Queen event that happens in Paynesville, Minnesota!
