Where the Money Goes

The great thing about Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is when you donate; you are giving back to the children of Abilene and the Texas Midwest. Each dollar raised is a dollar spent at Hendrick upgrading neonatal equipment, Hendrick Children's Hospital and expanding pediatric services throughout Hendrick Medical Center. Whether it is an unborn child or one who needs in-home care, funds donated to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals can provide medical equipment, educational tools or therapeutic toys to our children. These children are not only our patients, they are miracles.

Hendrick Children's Hospital

Money allocated to Hendrick Children's Hospital will go to renovations, upgrades and special equipment for Hendrick's most special patients.

Hendrick Children's Hospital was established in 1966 with funds donated by Malcolm and Mary Meek. In order to keep Hendrick Children's Hospital updated, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals provided funds for new bedspreads, colorful mini-blinds, pictures on the walls and general maintenance to the unit from floor to ceiling. It is important that children feel comfortable, so Hendrick Children's Hospital has created a more home-like environment for its patients. Chairbeds for parents and family members, new patient beds and HP monitors were purchased by donations made to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Diversional and therapeutic play items also were purchased for the patients confined to their room or are on bedrest. Rocking chairs and VCRs in the patient rooms create a home-like atmosphere to families and children. Items such as mini-infusers that help administer small amounts of medication with accuracy and a hand-held pulse oximeter were purchased because the quality of healthcare the children receive is number one priority at Hendrick Children's Hospital. The region’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was also made possible by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The BirthPlace at Hendrick

Babies experience Children's Miracle Network Hospitals before they are born. Funds donated to Children’s Miracle Network have purchased fetal monitors to monitor the unborn baby and its mother. After the baby is born, they are taken to the nursery where the isolettes are also a result of contributions made to Children’s Miracle Network. Without this necessary equipment, it would be virtually impossible to provide babies with quality healthcare. Other equipment includes giraffe beds for babies who need extra special care, specialized developmental equipment for our premature babies and Natus-Hearing System used on every baby born at The BirthPlace to test babies for hearing impairment.

For some new mothers, durable medical equipment is needed to care for their baby. Children who do not have the ability to pay have access to this medical equipment thanks to Children's Miracle Network. Also, prescriptions, formula, diapers and other baby items are available to these families who are in urgent need of the items when they leave the hospital and cannot afford them otherwise. Money from Children's Miracle Network was allocated to the Child/Family Assistance Fund for families who have extenuating circumstances related to the health of their child.

Hendrick Regional Laboratory

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals makes it possible to purchase sophisticated equipment to perform tests on-site at Hendrick Children's Hospital. There is a need for on-site testing when there is a critical patient or one who is not a good candidate for venipuncture. Also, Hendrick Regional Laboratory is one of the few sites in the region offering a screening for cystic fibrosis. Money donated to Children’s Miracle Network helped purchase a Wescor Macroduct System and Sweat-Check Analyzer for this test.

Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation

Children’s Miracle Network has purchased much needed equipment for the pediatric gym at Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. An extensive swing system, developmental toys and other equipment assist with physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Some children undergoing rehab therapy at Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation participate in the HERO program. Hendrick Equine Rehabilitation Opportunities currently serves twelve children per session and money raised through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals provided tack for the horses and safety equipment for the children.

It is not often pets are allowed in a hospital, but the PETS at Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation are the exception. Pet Enhanced Therapy Services provides visitation and therapy at Hendrick Children's Hospital. In 2001, educational materials, veterinarian supplies, collars and leashes were made possible through donations to Children's Miracle Network.

Women and Children's Education

Becoming a new mother is an exciting time and planning ahead is essential. Women's and Children's Education provides classes in childbirth, postpartum care, advanced pediatric life support and lactation services. With each of these classes, educational materials including videos, mannequins and other equipment are necessary. Thanks to generous donations to Children’s Miracle Network these are utilized to educate hundreds of families.

Planning for a new baby is exciting for a family, but sometimes things do not go they way should. For mothers who suffer a stillborn birth, bereavement services are available. Parents should not leave the hospital empty-handed. Through funds donated to Children’s Miracle Network each family enduring this loss received a baby ring, memory box and remembrance box.

Case Management

Generous donations to Children's Miracle Network provide financial assistance to children and their families. Through the Child/Family Assistance fund, those with extenuating circumstances related to child healthcare, durable medical equipment, prescriptions, formula diapers and other baby items are available.

Hendrick Hospice Care

Coping with the loss of a loved one can have traumatic impact on children. Recognizing the need for children's bereavement services, Hendrick Hospice Care's Club Courage and Camp Courage are available to those suffering a loss through death, divorce, separation or other painful transition. Held twice a year for eight weeks, Rainbows teaches children about coping with their loss through grief activities, journals and arts and crafts. The last night of Rainbows, a balloon launch is held for symbolically releasing their grief. Children's Miracle Network Hospitals funds raised cover all aspects of Club Courage from director training to T-shirts for the children.

Camp Courage is a four-day, three-night adventure. Activities including nature hikes and swimming combine with grief related activities teaching children to cope with their loss. Children interact with others who experienced the same loss and are encouraged to share their feelings. Highlights of the week include arts and crafts, the ropes course and a Braveheart ceremony. Thanks to generous donations by local Kiwanis organizations, Camp Courage is entirely funded through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Hendrick Asthma Education Program

Hendrick Asthma Education is a program where asthma educators visit the Abilene Independent School District to teach children how to better manage their asthma. Children's Miracle Network funds provided the program with a Portable Pulmonary Function machine with a printer to use in schools and at health fairs. In addition, an end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor was purchased to monitor pediatric intensive care patients and is portable for transport. Thanks to funds donated to Children's Miracle Network, a Respironics Portable Diagnostic monitor was purchased to screen pediatric patients who suffer from sleep disorders.

Through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals funds, Hendrick Asthma Education also is able to host the annual Hendrick Kick Asthma Summer Day Camp. Asthma educators teach children how to effectively manage their asthma while enjoying games and activities throughout the week.

Professional Education

Because kids have different needs than adults, it is critical that the healthcare professional taking care of your child has been specially trained with pediatric care in mind. We are able to give hands on training to nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists and physicians with the specialized equipment they use to treat kids.