During its six-week annual campaign, Walmart and Sam’s Club raised $1.4 million for Arkansas Children’s through Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.
From June 12 – July 14, shoppers donated at registers, online and through creative fundraising efforts held at individual stores across the United States and Canada. The overall campaign raised more than $40 million – 22% more than last year’s campaign. Since 1987, Walmart and Sam’s Club have raised more than $1 billion for CMN Hospitals, including more than $45 million for Arkansas Children’s.
“We are thrilled by this news,” said Enid Olvey, president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation. “Donations like this continue to support Arkansas Children’s most urgent needs. We are grateful to see the collective efforts from shoppers adding up to impactful support.”
Arkansas Children’s addresses urgent needs for children like 11-year-old Zach Chamness, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just before he turned 2 years old. He underwent surgery the day after his diagnosis and subsequently was treated through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and three stem cell transplants.
“This kid has so much fight and so much energy, and he just wanted to live,” said Steve Chamness, Zach’s father. “Arkansas Children’s was amazing and we totally credit them for saving his life.”
Zach is now 8 years cancer free and loves to play with his friends and family.
“He’s just living his best life being Zach,” said mom Jill Chamness. “Our motto is ‘You can’t spell Zach without ACH,’ and we’ve added, ‘Without ACH, there’d be no Zach.’ We love our ACH.”
Funds raised through Arkansas Children’s Miracle Network help provide families like the Chamnesses with the unique care needed, giving them a world of possibility and continued support in the future.
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