More than 150 local businesses rallied together in support of Children's National’s inaugural campaign to raise $1 million for life-saving pediatric care

Children’s National Health System is pleased to announce the successful completion of its inaugural Make March Matter campaign which raised $1 million in support of critical, life-saving care for children in the DC community. The month-long fundraising initiative united more than 150 businesses across the greater Washington region in support of children’s health.

“At Children’s National, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care to all children,” said DeAnn Marshall, MHA, president of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Because of the generous support of many businesses and patrons during Make March Matter, we are able to expand health services and help more children grow up stronger. We are grateful for the tremendous involvement from our community.”

From retailers and restaurants to fitness studios and more, businesses across the region developed fundraising programs and events to help Make March Matter for Children’s National patients and families. Longtime Children’s National friends and supporters Bret and Amy Baier announced they would match individual donations up to $100,000. CNN White House Reporter (and avid fitness fan) Kate Bennett hosted a charity class at Solidcore with 100% of proceeds going back to helping sick kids; Intermix enlisted fashion glitterati Anchyi Wei and Sara Azani to host a shopping party at its Georgetown outpost, donating a portion of proceeds to Make March Matter; and City Center hosted a block party including a blood drive for Children’s National, face painting and book reading for kids, and proceeds from select stores donated to Make March Matter.

Additionally, the following partners raised more than $25,000:

• Atlantic Coast Mortgage
• Colonial Parking
• Hoops Madness, a signature event hosted by the Children’s Health Board
• iHeartMedia
• Marriott International, Inc
• Panda Express

For more information on the success of the campaign and the participating businesses, visit MakeMarchMatterDC.org.

About Make March Matter

Make March Matter is an annual fundraising campaign that is building community awareness and financial support for children’s health in Washington, D.C. The campaign supports Children’s National Health System—a nonprofit pediatric hospital caring for children from DC, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as kids from around the country and around the world. During the month of March, local businesses will take action to improve children’s health through a variety of fundraising programs and events. The goal of the campaign is to raise $1 million in support of the Fund for Every Child to ensure that every child, from every background and every walk of life, can receive exceptional care, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay. For more information, please visit MakeMarchMatterDC.org.

About Children’s National Health System

Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has been serving the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is #1 for babiesand ranked in every specialty evaluated by U.S. News & World Report including placement in the top 10 for: Cancer (#7), Neurology and Neurosurgery (#9) Orthopaedics (#9) and Nephrology (#10). Children’s National has been designated two times as a Magnet® hospital, a designation given to hospitals that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers. Home to the Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is one of the nation’s top NIH-funded pediatric institutions. Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.