Shine Bright for Kids Fundraiser | Children's Minnesota

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Your gift will be doubled thanks to the generosity of the Robert M. Jones Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation.

Shine Bright for Kids

Every September during Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we unite to honor and support young patients and their families. Through the collective efforts of patient families, individual donors, community groups, and businesses, we raise vital funds for the Cancer and Blood Disorders Program at Children’s Minnesota.

When you get involved this September — Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — you help thousands of kids, and their families, right here in our region.

Fundraise for Children’s Minnesota

Whether your family has been impacted by cancer or a blood disorder, you’re honoring a loved one, or you simply want to support local kids and families, you can make a difference by creating your own Shine Bright for Kids fundraiser.

Every year, more than 3,500 children receive care from Children’s Minnesota’s expert cancer and blood disorders team. Your fundraising helps provide critical support, innovative treatments, family resources, and hope for patients throughout their journey.

Raise Funds. Earn recognition. Make an impact.

As a Shine Bright fundraiser, you’ll unlock special recognition opportunities along the way:

$100 – Be recognized on our Shine Bright Honor Roll.
$250 – Receive special thank-you gift
$500 – Be invited to our Donor Celebration
$1,000 – Create a personalized plaque for Tribute Wall in Minneapolis hospital

Fundraising ideas

Host a Gold Out

Invite your school, sports team, workplace, or community group to wear gold—the color of childhood cancer awareness—and raise funds in honor of children and families affected by cancer and blood disorders.

Start an Online Fundraiser

Share your story and why Children’s Minnesota matters to you. Encourage friends, family, and coworkers to support your fundraiser and help spread awareness.

Create Your Own Fundraiser

Turn your passion into purpose. Host a bake sale, BBQ, lemonade stand, craft sale, talent show, gaming event, or another creative activity to support local kids and families.

Multiply your impact

Thanks to a generous $5 million commitment from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, donations supporting Children’s Minnesota will help advance critical care, family support services, and research, for kids who need it most.

Ready to Shine Bright?

Start your fundraiser today and help bring hope, healing, and brighter futures to children facing cancer and blood disorders.

Stories of care and courage: Your donations have a direct impact on Minnesota kids like Sawyer

Sawyer, a little girl who loves dancing, friends and school, was diagnosed with cancer in January 2023.

Six years old at the time, she had been experiencing pain in her stomach, shoulder and hip. Her parents, Kayla and Dave, brought her to Children’s Minnesota where, within hours, Sawyer was admitted to the hospital. Early in the morning, her mom got the devastating diagnosis: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Chemotherapy was set to begin within days.

Explaining the diagnosis to Sawyer was a difficult step but they had help. Child Life specialist Jodi Betsinger sat down with Sawyer and explained what leukemia is, using “blood bottle” toys, showing how her blood looks versus someone who has healthy blood.

Jodi would continue to be a teammate for Sawyer — and the whole family — throughout treatment.

“Child Life was amazing,” says Kayla. “Jodi gave us so many different tools.” From helping explain the chemo port that would be implanted in Sawyer’s chest to a host of books and resources for Sawyer’s younger sister to understand what was going on, Child Life supported the family alongside the medical team.

Chemotherapy began just days after her diagnosis, marking the start of a grueling journey that included frequent hospital visits, daily oral and IV chemo, spinal taps and all kinds of procedures that no child should have to endure.

But through it all, Sawyer found ways to smile. And for the whole family, Children’s Minnesota was a source of care beyond medicine.

From Child Life specialists to nightly conga lines led by staff to lift spirits, to games and smiles at the in-house Star Studio, the hospital experience has been about more than treatment — it’s been about joy and resilience.

“Star Studio got us through some of those long days with Bingo and the artists and the puppies that came in that Sawyer could go snuggle with.”

On June 1 of this year, Sawyer had her last chemo treatment. No longer tied down by a chemo port, she’s enjoying time outside the hospital, connecting with family and friends.

Why we shine: Here is what your support impacts

With your donation, we’re able to deliver extraordinary care to children living with cancer and blood disorders — not only the best medicine and latest treatments but also the healing support of a devoted team that includes child life specialists, social workers, arts therapists and many more.

Music therapy

Child life experts

Pet therapy

Playtime for siblings

Financial help

Why support Children’s Minnesota?

We care for the majority of children in our region who face cancer. That means your support goes directly to help families right here at home. As the largest and most specialized cancer and blood disorders program in the Upper Midwest, we know that families rely on us to be the experts. It’s a big job, and it requires the support of our entire community.

Your donation, partnership, or fundraising efforts fund everything from special therapies to life-saving research to mortgage and rent relief. Donations also enable us to make sure families have child life specialists, social workers, arts therapists and other team members who provide vital services not covered by insurance, services that never show up on a patient’s bill.

Shop. Eat. Drink. For a good cause.

Café Astoria

Cafe Astoria is an independent St. Paul local coffee shop with a commitment to the neighborhood and strive to create a warm and comfortable place for people to relax, work and socialize. During the month of September when guests make a donation of $3 or more, they will receive a gift of a “Shine Bright Cocoa”, a 12 oz hot chocolate garnished with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a toasted marshmallow. Donations help support the Cancer and Blood Disorders program at Children’s Minnesota.

Candyland

The World-famous and locally beloved Candyland has crafted a dazzling popcorn mix exclusively for Shine Bright! Available throughout September, this special treat can be picked up at any of Candyland’s three Twin Cities locations. Best of all, proceeds from each purchase go directly to benefit patients and families at Children’s Minnesota.

Lift Bridge Brewery

This September, Lift Bridge Brewery is raising a glass in support of patients and families at Children’s Minnesota. Their limited-edition beer, Shine So Bright, will be available on tap and in crowlers to-go throughout the month. Visit either Lift Bridge location to enjoy a pint – and make a difference with every pour.