It’s time to #HelpKidsLiveBetter at Walmart and Sam’s Club

Local Walmart and Sam’s Club stores are once again joining forces to “Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future” by raising money for Children’s Hospital Foundation during the annual #HelpKidsLiveBetter campaign.

Only fifty percent of babies born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) survive. Mattie’s was larger than anticipated when she was born. Every abdominal organ had developed in her chest, pushing her heart to the right and keeping her left lung from developing. She had immediate surgery, and what followed was a roller coaster ride, with complications that necessitated her being placed on an ECMO machine to regulate her heart and lungs. With a poor prognosis, her family prepared to say goodbye, until a neonatologist tried a “high-frequency jet ventilator” and by that afternoon, Mattie was bouncing back. She was eventually sent home, although complications continued. She was diagnosed with progressive scoliosis and a diaphragmatic hernia at age three and was recently diagnosed with bronchiectasis, leaving her lungs functioning at only 50 percent of normal capacity.

Mattie’s unique combination of difficult diagnoses means she is limited in what she can do but her positive attitude has no limits at all. She teaches everyone around her that life is meant to be lived to the fullest. She is always ready to with a joke to tell or dance to perform. “You will not keep me from loving gymnastics and ballet,” Mattie says about her condition. “You won’t keep me down because I’m a miracle.”

When you visit Walmart you will see Mattie’s picture at each register. Walmart employees keep Mattie on their mind when asking for donations and raising funds.

Money is raised primarily through a register campaign where customers and members contribute $1 or more when they checkout. Associates also fundraise in other ways including bake sales, in-store contests, and events. 

The 2019 campaign raised over $290,000 for Children’s Hospital Foundation.

This year’s register campaign runs June 22 through July 19. Customers and members can conveniently donate $1 or more when they check out at any central Oklahoma Walmart or Sam’s Club stores.

Pediatric healthcare is underfunded. Money raised at Walmart and Sam’s Club helps close this funding gap. All funds raised at local Walmart and Sam’s Club locations directly benefit Oklahoma kids through pediatric research, education and clinical care.

Walmart and Sam’s Club joined the CMN Hospitals fundraising family in 1987 with Sam Walton himself being personally involved in the beginning of the relationship between the organizations. The #HelpKidsLiveBetter campaign supports Walmart’s goal of giving back to local communities.

Customers and members can help spread the word about the campaign via social media using the hashtag #HelpKidsLiveBetter.