Small hands. Big hearts.

Every child deserves the best care. Through the Children’s Miracle Network, your support funds life-saving treatments, essential equipment and critical programs at Maynard Children’s Hospital. Every dollar stays local, helping kids across eastern North Carolina heal, grow and thrive.

Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been raising funds for hospitals across the United States and Canada — and our very own James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital is one of them. All of the money raised through the local CMN Hospitals program stays right here in eastern North Carolina to support sick and injured children in our community.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals was founded with two simple goals. The first is to help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals. The second is to keep those funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has grown dramatically since its founding in 1983. In just 41 years Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has evolved into the dominant organization actively providing better health care for all children. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has grown into a tremendous year-round effort involving thousands of organizations, businesses and individuals raising funds through special events and promotions.

Locally, as a fundraising program of the ECU Health Foundation, 100% of the money raised by the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program stays right here in eastern North Carolina to support Maynard Children’s Hospital and the 29 counties it serves. Our children’s hospital treats children with all types of illnesses and injuries, including cancer, heart, muscular, birth defects, cerebral palsy and traumatic injuries.

Upcoming Events

Other CMN National Partner Campaigns & Events

  • Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day: July 31
  • Ace Hardware Bucket Days: August 1-3
  • Panda Cares Day: August 8
  • Whistle Express Car Wash: TBD
  • Extra Life Game Day: November 1
  • Ace Hardware Holiday Round Up: November 1-December 31

Meet Our 2025 Miracle Children

Alejandro was a healthy, active kid when during a family gathering, he suddenly collapsed and went into cardiac arrest at just 13 years old. His cousin immediately began CPR until the ambulance arrived. Once at the hospital, Alejandro was intubated in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and had a tracheostomy placed. He spent over three months in the hospital and also had a defibrillator placed. Today, Alejandro has made a full recovery and is a freshman in high school. His dream is to be a cardiologist when he grows up.

Christopher was born at just 23 weeks and weighed just over one pound. He was a triplet, but lost his brothers en utero. After birth, Christopher required extensive respiratory support. At five days old, he suffered a collapsed lung and stopped breathing. Even after so many obstacles and setbacks, Christopher got stronger every day. In December 2023, after a 206-day hospital stay, he was able to go home. Today, Christopher is two years old and loves music and dancing.

In February 2024, Graylon fell while riding his scooter and was complaining of not being able to put any weight on his leg. He was immediately admitted to the ED where imaging revealed an abnormality in his leg bone which was later diagnosed as osteosarcoma. Graylon received multiple chemotherapies and a femoral resection to remove part of his leg. In October 2024, he received his prosthetic leg. Today, Graylon is an outgoing 8-year-old who loves dancing!

Insley had end stage renal failure due to an ischemic injury during birth (lack of oxygen). From April 2021 to July 2023, she was on dialysis until she received her first kidney transplant. That kidney immediately failed due to a blood clot. In February 2024, Insley received her second kidney transplant from a family friend which was successful. Today, Insley is a normal, active 4-year-old who loves to sing and going to the beach!

Owen was born at 26 weeks. Despite his early gestational age, he was already crying and weighed only 2 pounds at birth. Owen was immediately put on a ventilator to help him breathe. Eventually, he came down with viral meningitis but made a full recovery. After 86 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Owen was able to go home without oxygen and was feeding on his own. Today, he is hitting all milestones and is a happy, healthy 1-year-old. 

Tay was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with a diagnosis of RSV and the flu. Upon arrival, he was quickly intubated and had a chest tube placed. He eventually developed necrotizing pneumonia and was cannulated to ECMO and dialysis because his heart, lungs and kidneys weren’t doing what they needed to do. Tay spent 64 days in the hospital, including rehab to learn to walk and talk again. Today, Tay is four years old and loves Roblox, YouTube and terrorizing his siblings.

For more information please contact:

Elise Ironmonger

Director of Programs
Children’s Miracle Network
ECU Health Foundation

Christina Ridgeway

Development Coordinator
Children’s Miracle Network
ECU Health Foundation