Today, June 13, Southwest Florida Walmart and Sam’s Club associates are kicking off their fundraising campaign benefitting Golisano Children’s Hospital. The fundraising drive gives customers and members different options to donate at the register or online.The fundraising campaign runs through July 10.

Since 1983, Walmart has raised more than $5 billion for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Last year through this campaign, more than $160,000 was raised locally for Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Funds raised through campaigns like this one benefit the children’s hospital in many ways. Since the opening of the standalone 7-story facility five years ago, philanthropy has enabled Golisano Children’s Hospital to grow exponentially and add crucial services, including a pediatric neurosurgery program in collaboration with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital; a specialized pediatric ophthalmology clinic, SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital, which is the largest pediatric ophthalmology office between Tampa and Miami; the expansion of behavioral health services for children; and many other key programs and services.

Golisano Children’s Hospital is one of only nine centers in the state to offer complete pediatric cancer care and many programs are funded through donations and community support. The hospital’s hematology and oncology clinic has an average of 500 visits per month, and survival rates for pediatric oncology patients are higher at Golisano Children’s Hospital than the national average.

There are many ways to donate to Golisano Children’s Hospital through the Walmart and Sam’s Club campaign. Customers and members in Southwest Florida can donate any dollar amount at the register, or simply round-up their purchase to the next dollar and donate the change in-store or while shopping online. You can also donate at www.SunshineAndMiracles.org.