The Impact Is Felt

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS

Over the past five years, our Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners have raised over $7.3 million dollars for the kid treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. A majority of these funds were raised a dollar at a time through point of sale, balloon icon and round up campaigns. Whether it’s for one month, six weeks or year round, thank you for joining us on the journey to best outcomes for kids at Nationwide Children’s.

GAMING AND GIVING – ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Extra Life is celebrating their 15 year anniversary. Thousands of gamers, influencers, celebrities and partners have fundraised all year round to support their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Extra Life Columbus has raised over $575,000 to help change kids’ health and change the future for the kids treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In honor of their six-figure fundraising years, Extra Life Columbus Guild members purchased Butterfly Wagons for the patients and families served at the hospital. These wagons offer parents a reprieve and give patients a delightful opportunity to be transported around the hospital in a fun and unique way. Thank you to Extra Life Columbus and all the participants who play games to heal kids!

Ace Hardware Associates

Associates at the West Jefferson Retail Service Center prove Ace really is the helpful place! Over 30 locations participate in year round fundraising to support the patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This year, one store stood out from the rest. West Jefferson Retail Support Center received the honor of being named Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Partner of the Year! This location demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to finding innovative ways to fundraise all while bringing awareness to the many services provided at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Since this location is a Retail Service Center and does not have customers, all of their fundraising efforts were from employees who are committed to supporting the health and well-being of the kids treated at Nationwide Children’s.

Where Are They Now?

Ryan Lanning was diagnosed with anaplastic large B cell lymphoma, a rare form of cancer, in 1999 at age 14. At the time, Nationwide Children's Hospital had less than 500 patient rooms but was already making a name for itself in patient care, research, and surgery. After six months of chemotherapy, Ryan was considered in remission. He was excited to get back to playing baseball, having not missed a single game despite his diagnosis. With a clean bill of health Ryan went on to play baseball in high school and his freshman year of college.

Unfortunately, before entering his sophomore year Ryan relapsed and returned to Nationwide Children’s for further treatment. The hospital Ryan returned to however, had grown significantly. In just a few years Nationwide Children’s went from around 400,000 patient visits a year to accommodating more than 600,000 patient visits a year due to a massive 750,000 square foot clinical expansion.

Though the hospital had grown, “the care remained consistent…” Ryan remembers. During both of his stays, “everyone was always friendly, cheerful and was very accommodating to help make stays better in every aspect.”

After eight months of additional chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant, Ryan was once again in remission.

Three years ago, Ryan returned to Nationwide Children’s once again, this time for a very different reason. He came back as an employee.

Ryan is a Senior Internal Auditor, a job that ensures that internal departments are compliant with finance, operations and regulatory standards and that patients and their private health information is safe and secure within

Nationwide Children’s. “It’s nice knowing many of the processes I look at have an impact on patients and families,” Ryan says, “I am able to give back and help those who are in the same position I was.”

Ryan has been busy in his three short years here. Upon arrival, Ryan had already obtained his CPA and CMA, both accounting certifications. At the encouragement of his manager, Marta Quinones, Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Corporate Audit Officer, Ryan has expanded his knowledge with additional healthcare and financial certifications.

“He is very grateful for all the staff that took care of him and he was thrilled to get a job at Nationwide Children’s,” says Marta. He feels at home here.”

“Nationwide Children’s is such a beautiful place to come to work,” says Ryan, “Having seen it from what it was back in 1999 to what it has transformed into over the last 24 years is incredible. I still come back as a patient for long term follow up appointments every two years and many of the doctors that participated in my treatment are still here today!”