For the Circle K store in Madison, Maine the CMN Hospitals campaign is personal.
For Circle K store manager, Christal Ward, in Madison, Maine fundraising for Children’s Miracle
Network Hospitals is more than a company-wide initiative to support a worthy cause; it’s an opportunity for her to give back to the local children’s hospital that was there for her family when her daughter, Joslyn was born nearly 17 years ago.
Christal’s pregnancy was challenging, leading to an emergency C-section one month before Joslyn’s due date. Shortly after birth, Joslyn needed to be transported to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH)
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit due to her low oxygen levels. Upon further testing, it was discovered that she had a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallow. Joslyn underwent open-heart surgery at only 6 weeks old.
For Christal and her husband, knowing that their newborn daughter was in the capable hands of the doctors at BBCH gave them confidence and peace of mind. But it was the small gestures of “kindness and compassion” from the BBCH staff that meant just as much.
“The staff called me every morning and gave me an update, they went over the plans for the day and called anytime they needed to do anything until I could get there. They also asked how I was and if I needed anything. I thought that was amazing they not only cared about my daughter they cared about my wellbeing.
When I would visit every day, I would notice little stuffed animals in her crib and beautiful quilted blankets.”
Miraculously, Joslyn was home with her family only 11 days after her surgery. Today, she is just weeks away from her 17th birthday and is “still a fighter, she is a smart beautiful girl who lets nothing hold her back.”
Between May 7- 31, Circle K locations statewide worked hard to raise funds in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Sincere thanks to each and every customer who contributed to this year’s campaign and helped to ensure future success stories, like Joslyn’s.
