Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Raises Millions to Help Kids 

On April 9, sponsors of the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run presented a check for $923,000 to Children's Miracle Network (CMN). As the local CMN hospital, Children's National hosted the event.

The credit unions also held a play day with patients at the hospital, where they decorated piggy banks with Children’s National patients. As National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network, Miss America Caressa Cameron participated in the play day.

Since becoming the title sponsor of the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in 2002, credit unions have raised more than $4 million for children’s hospitals nationwide. Locally, this year’s race has raised $250,000 for Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

At the check presentation ceremony held at Children’s National Medical Center, Juri Valdov, chairman of the Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc., the race title sponsor group and former president and CEO of Northwest FCU, presented a check for $923,000 to Judy Graham, vice president of development at Children’s National. 

"Our medical professionals may be the ones saving lives, but caring for kids involves the whole community," Graham said. "Our corporate partners, like the credit unions, are key to achieving the common goal of providing healing, hope, and compassion for every child in our community who needs it."

Valdov said, "Credit unions have always helped each other and members of the community and it’s a natural progression that credit unions help the neediest and most vulnerable in our community -- our children."

Through the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, credit unions and business partners from across the nation join together in Washington, D.C. to raise money to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network alliance of premier hospitals for children. The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run takes place through the city streets of the nation's capital during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.