The Reason I’m Gifting My Birthday

This post is sponsored by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

I’m sure you have heard me talk about my nephew, Corbin, before.  Corbin was an amazing child with a heart of gold, and my youngest daughter loved him so much.  I haven’t written much about him recently because he passed away a few months ago.  It’s just been difficult for everyone.  He was only seven years old, and we miss him so very much. It’s so hard to watch my brother and sister-in-law deal with the loss of their son, and my youngest has had a hard time.  She’s starting to understand what death means, and she and Corbin were so close.

Corbin is the reason children’s hospitals are a top priority when it comes to donating.  These places are in need of donations, and I owe the seven years I had to spend with Corbin to the children’s hospitals.  Plus, I know Corbin wouldn’t have it any other way.  If it weren’t for these hospitals, Corbin wouldn’t have made it but a few days after being born.  As a matter of fact, had he been born ten years ago, there would have been nothing anyone could do to help him. Thankfully he wasn’t, and he made it to the age of seven and was blessed in so many ways.

Corbin’s mother and father were always by his side.  They adored him. Their world revolved around him. He had family that loved and cared for him more than words can speak. My daughter misses him dearly because he was like her big brother, and he had the BEST birthday parties.  Every year, his mommy and daddy would do something awesome for him because he was so special and deserved everything good that came his way.

Corbin’s mother and father were always by his side.  They adored him. Their world revolved around him. He had family that loved and cared for him more than words can speak. My daughter misses him dearly because he was like her big brother, and he had the BEST birthday parties.  Every year, his mommy and daddy would do something awesome for him because he was so special and deserved everything good that came his way.

Corbin was able to live a pretty normal life.  By looking at or being around Corbin, you certainly couldn’t tell that he had a heart condition. Unfortunately, he did.  However, I know there are tons of people in this world who are better today because they met Corbin.  My daughter wouldn’t be here today had I not met Corbin when he was born.  I had no idea you could not know someone and love them so much, but you can.  It’s almost like you’ve known them your whole life when they come into the world, and I was only his aunt.  Feeling that for the very first time is what made me want to have a child of my own.  And I know his mother and father are thankful they got as much time with Corbin as they did.  They wouldn’t have traded those seven years for anything.

The things that children’s hospitals can do is magical.  You know they kept in touch with my brother and sister-in-law too?  About once a month, one of the nurses or someone who worked with them would call just to see how they were all doing.  Some people they met from there even traveled all the way to New Mexico for Corbin’s funeral, which I thought was sweet.

Be sure to order yourself and your loved ones a Miracle Band to help raise awareness for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  Wearing and sharing your Miracle Band will contribute by raising awareness for this wonderful organization.

I’m not only ordering myself, my family and a few friends a Miracle Band to help increase awareness of the organization, but I’m also donating my birthday in honor of Corbin.  After I turned 21, I have not been interested in celebrating my birthday, and I can’t think of a better thing to do with the celebration than gift everything to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  I’m going to tell family and friends who frequently purchase me something to save their money and make a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals instead.

I’ve started telling all my family and friends—and asking you—to please help support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and put your money (any amount is beyond appreciated) where the miracles are by donating to my Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Donor Drive Account.  So far, I’ve received $50 in donations and I’m sure there will be more to come.  My birthday isn’t until the end of the month, and I know several of my family members have not donated yet.  So fingers crossed we do well.

I was talking to my mom last night about my birthday, and we came up with a great way to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and have a little fun.  We are planning on inviting family and friends for a dinner with a few games.  Rather than getting me gifts, cards, or even a cake, all we are going to ask is that everyone make a donation to the organization.  My mom wants to do a cake walk too, lol.  Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve done a cake walk?  I don’t know either, but it’s been a long time.

If you can, we would love to have you donate. And I can’t think of a better place to do so than to children’s hospitals with a significant charitable need.  Did you know that Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raise funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals here in the United States and Canada?  They most certainly do, and they provide more than $3.5 billion in charitable care every single year.  Isn’t that amazing?  The donations they receive are also used to purchase life-saving equipment, pay for special things that make a children’s hospital a children’s hospital and so crucial to a child’s healing (playrooms, equipment in different sizes, specialized therapy programs and more), and conduct much-needed research.

If you’d like to get involved with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and one of their organized events or just volunteer at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, you can learn more by visiting www.cmnhospitals.org.

“Put your money where the miracles are. Support your Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.”