Leadership conference gets creative with fundraising in KC for children

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s been said that many hands make lighter work.

The Ignite Leadership Conference, which benefits Children’s Miracle Network , comes to Kansas City’s downtown Marriott this weekend. The gathering zeroes in on crowd fundraising and the creative ways some generous hearts raise money for the hospitals that help sick kids.

From dance marathons to competitive gaming, fundraising often comes in unique forms, as Children’s Miracle Network encourages regular people to do what they love to raise money for 170 children’s hospitals, including programs at the University of Kansas Medical Center . Many of the network’s fundraising heroes are expected to attend this weekend’s event.

Aimee Dailey, CMN’s national president, brings this conference to the metro, hoping to get others excited about raising money for sick children and their loved ones. Last year, this charitable network raised $449 million to support children’s healthcare. Dailey pointed out medical expenses are a common cause of bankruptcy.

“Every minute, 72 patients are admitted to one of our hospitals,” Dailey said on Thursday.

“Taking care of a child isn’t just taking care of an adult. It requires specialized education and specialized equipment. The money might go toward technology needs. It might go toward equipment.”

Michael “Futiles” Oliver, often signs up friends as sponsors for his gameplay and gives it all the kids and families in need. This weekend’s conference includes a large space for competitive gaming. Futiles said it’s part of CMN’s ExtraLife program.

“This event every year is a re-energizing, rejuvenating event,” Futiles said.

“It really resets my clock. It reinvigorates me, and I usually see a large growth spurt of fundraising right at the start and through this event.”

Byron Swetman, a conference attendee from the University of Mississippi, hosts frequent dance marathons on campus. Children’s Miracle Network is often the beneficiary of those dance parties, some of which generate more than $10,000 for the network of hospitals.

“It’s great to impact the miracle kids, but the miracle kids impact us just as much. They really put a light in our lives. We’re fortunate to be able to fundraise for them,” Swetman said.

Dailey said most families who benefit from these programs never imagined they’d need help, and the creativity makes its mark on fundraising. In more than 40 years in business, CMN leaders say they’ve raised more than nine billion dollars.

Learn more about Children’s Miracle Network and its work with fundraising for hospitals here .

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