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

Make an impact in September by creating your own Shine Bright for Kids fundraiser. Maybe you’ve personally experienced the Children’s Minnesota cancer and blood disorders program, or you have a loved one or friend who has. Or, you want to be part of a greater community rallying around families affected by cancer or a blood disorder. By fundraising and sharing your story, you’ll make a difference for more than 3,500 kids — and their families — who are cared for by our dedicated, highly specialized cancer and blood disorders team each year.

Make a difference by fundraising —and unlock these perks along the way:

$100 – Honor someone special on our Shine Bright display of stars at the Minneapolis hospital this September! Your honoree’s name will be featured, and you’ll receive an invitation to the Shine Bright Celebration.
$250 – Receive a special gift
$500 – Be featured on our Shine Bright honor roll
$1,000 – Create a personalized plaque for the Tribute Wall at the Minneapolis or St. Paul hospital

Here are some ideas to get started:

Host a “Gold Out” Event: Encourage your school, sports team, workplace, or community group to wear gold (the color for childhood cancer awareness) and raise funds to honor someone you know affected by childhood cancer.
Organize an Online Fundraiser: Use social media or online platforms to share your story and why it’s important to support and ask friends, family, and colleagues to donate
Create a DIY Fundraiser: Create an event based on your passion (i.e bake sale, talent show, sell: 3-D prints, friendship bracelets, lemonade)

For questions, assistance or to learn more about how you can get involved, contact us at [email protected].

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.

Help us care for children living with blood disorders

Our cancer and blood disorders team fights more than tumors. We also care for children living with lifelong blood disorders, like sickle cell disease. Children’s Minnesota sees more than 80% of children and teens in the state with sickle cell disease, an incurable condition that causes severe pain, frequent infections and even strokes. Your gifts will help us do more for these Minnesota kids who deserve a healthy, happy childhood.

Together, we will Shine Bright for the more than 3500 kids in the region that rely on us. Tell us, who do you Shine Bright for this September?

Shop. Eat. Drink. For a good cause.

Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe

Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe is a scratch-made bakery located in Hopkins, Minnesota. With custom cakes, macarons + more, they are baking the world a little sweeter one homemade treat at a time. $1 from each Shine Bright cupcake sold during the month of September will support the Cancer and Blood Disorders program at Children’s Minnesota.

BlackStack Brewing

BlackStack Brewing, a local craft brewery, brew pub, taproom in St. Paul, is donating a portion of proceeds from their “Shine On” beer, an Northeast-style IPA especially brewed for Shine Bright for Kids.

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.

Papa John’s

Papa John’s will be Shining Bright for Kids from September 23 – 29 by hosting a giveback week to benefit Children’s Minnesota. Customers can use code CM20 for any orders that week, and 20% of the proceeds will benefit Children’s Minnesota.