Walmart Associate raises funds for CMN
Looking back, Judy doesn’t know how she got through it. At just three and half years old, her son, Danny, was diagnosed with leukemia.“It is a parent’s worst nightmare to hear something like that,” she said. “You never think about this happening to your kids.”
Leading up to that day, Danny would often fall asleep at the table. He then became too tired to walk and wanted to be carried all the time. Then the bruises began to appear on his legs.
At first, family doctors thought he was anemic. After a visit to a paediatrician, the family went to McMaster Children’s Hospital for further tests, and it was here he received his leukemia diagnosis. He started blood transfusions and began to take prednisone, which made his stomach bloat so badly that they had to wean him off of it.
“It was so hard to see my baby go through all that,” said Judy.
After three weeks, Danny was able to go home, and the challenge of administering his medication became the duty of his parents.
“I remember we would often have to sit on him because he refused to take his pills,” said Judy with a laugh. “That is the one thing that Danny also seems to remember the most while being treated.”
Shortly after, Danny began radiation treatment. He remained on medication for about three years.
Today, as a Walmart Associate, Judy shares her personal story to help raise funds for SickKids and Children’s Miracle Network.
“My son is a leukemia survivor,” said Judy. “He has been in remission for 40 years. He is a dad now. I want people to know that. I also want people to know that donations to support children’s hospitals can make a real difference for the kids who are being treated there. And for their families.”
Last year, Judy’s Walmart location raised over $21,000 in support of SickKids and Children’s Miracle Network. This year she hopes they will beat that, and she is doing everything she can to help make that happen.
“I average about $50 a day in donations. I’ve reached the 1000 Balloon Club, which means I achieved the $1,000 fundraising mark. And just this week, I exceeded the $2,000 fundraising mark.”
Last year, Judy personally raised almost $1,800. She is absolutely thrilled that she has already exceeded that this year.
Throughout the month of June, Walmart locations across the country will host a variety of initiatives to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. One of these initiatives will be through Walmart’s Great Value grocery line, which is launching its #GreatGiving program to support Children's Miracle Network during the month of June. Not only will a portion of proceeds from the sale of Great Value products be donated, but they will also be engaging in a social community campaign. Great Value is encouraging Canadians to share their summer gathering fun over social media and add the hashtag #GreatGiving. From now until June 24, for every tweet featuring the hashtag #GreatGiving, Walmart Canada will donate $1 up to a maximum of $100,000 to Children's Miracle Network.
“It is absolutely amazing what Walmart does in support of children’s hospitals like SickKids,” said Judy. “Donations can make such a difference and I am proud to be able to play a part in that.”
“I remember we would often have to sit on him because he refused to take his pills,” said Judy with a laugh. “That is the one thing that Danny also seems to remember the most while being treated.”
Shortly after, Danny began radiation treatment. He remained on medication for about three years.
Today, as a Walmart Associate, Judy shares her personal story to help raise funds for SickKids and Children’s Miracle Network.
“My son is a leukemia survivor,” said Judy. “He has been in remission for 40 years. He is a dad now. I want people to know that. I also want people to know that donations to support children’s hospitals can make a real difference for the kids who are being treated there. And for their families.”
Last year, Judy’s Walmart location raised over $21,000 in support of SickKids and Children’s Miracle Network. This year she hopes they will beat that, and she is doing everything she can to help make that happen.
"Donations can make such a difference and I am proud to be able to play a part in that."
Last year, Judy personally raised almost $1,800. She is absolutely thrilled that she has already exceeded that this year.
Throughout the month of June, Walmart locations across the country will host a variety of initiatives to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. One of these initiatives will be through Walmart’s Great Value grocery line, which is launching its #GreatGiving program to support Children's Miracle Network during the month of June. Not only will a portion of proceeds from the sale of Great Value products be donated, but they will also be engaging in a social community campaign. Great Value is encouraging Canadians to share their summer gathering fun over social media and add the hashtag #GreatGiving. From now until June 24, for every tweet featuring the hashtag #GreatGiving, Walmart Canada will donate $1 up to a maximum of $100,000 to Children's Miracle Network.
“It is absolutely amazing what Walmart does in support of children’s hospitals like SickKids,” said Judy. “Donations can make such a difference and I am proud to be able to play a part in that.”
