The Change Bandits’ role in making Akron Children’s special

As a former patient, mother and Children’s Miracle Network program manager at Akron Children’s Hospital, I have many reasons why you should become a Change Bandit. I was born five weeks before my due date at Fisher-Titus Hospital in Norwalk, nearly an hour and a half away from Akron. Nonetheless, the doctors decided to transfer me to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Akron Children’s where I was treated for an infection. Although the Have a Heart, Do Your Part” Radiothon with 98.1 WKDD didn’t exist back then, I’m sure if it had I may have slept in a Giraffe bed purchased from funds raised by the radiothon.

Today, I now work at the same hospital where I spent the first week of my life. I’m also now one of the parents rather than a patient.

My first experience as a parent with Akron Children’s Hospital occurred when my then 2-year-old son broke his leg jumping off the couch pretending to be Superman. The care he received in Akron Children’s radiology department, cast room and orthopedics department was second to none. They even included his prized Elmo in follow-up x-rays.

My son received a treasure trove of treats and stickers in orthopedics, which helped calm him during an otherwise stressful time. Change Bandits and radiothon donors provide the funds that make all of these “extras” a reality. These extras help make Akron Children’s a truly special place.

As the Children’s Miracle Network program manager, I see the families that call Akron Children’s their second home. Some of these children have been coming here since birth and will continue to come here well into adulthood. Some are here for common childhood illnesses and injuries. Regardless of the reason, Akron Children’s Hospital will uphold the three promises we’ve made for more than 120 years:

1. To treat all children as if they were our own
2. Treat others they way we’d want to be treated
3. Never turn a child way

Akron Children’s Hospital is a special part of our community, and being a Change Bandit or a Radiothon donor is the perfect way to simply say thank you.