Annual Peer-to-Peer Leadership Conference Unites Student Leaders and Hospital Advisors to Strengthen Dance Marathon Programs Nationwide
ST. LOUIS, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) is proud to host its annual Ignite: Peer-to-Peer Leadership Conference, bringing together hundreds of passionate student leaders and hospital advisors from July 17-20 in St. Louis, Missouri. The conference, held at the Marriott St. Louis Grand, is designed to power knowledge, launch fundraising efforts, and deepen the collective commitment to lift this generation up to the next with the future of our Campus Programs in mind.
Campus Programs at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are nationwide fundraising initiatives led by college and high school students, including major programs like Dance Marathon, Greek Life, and other campus organizations. These programs empower students to rally their communities and raise vital funds for their local children’s hospitals.
Ignite 2025 offered four days of powerful learning and meaningful connections, including educational sessions, networking opportunities, and celebrations of fundraising excellence. Attendees gained valuable insights into peer-to-peer fundraising best practices, learned how to build community, and discovered innovative ways to raise critical funds for local member hospitals.
“Ignite is where the magic of our Campus Programs truly comes alive,” said Aimee J. Daily, Ph.D., President & CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “These student leaders are the driving force behind our mission, and it’s inspiring to see their passion for making a tangible difference in children’s healthcare. Their dedication ensures that our local member hospitals can continue to provide essential care for millions of kids each year.”
Key Highlights of Ignite 2025 Include:
- Powerful Cause Connection: Attendees experienced firsthand how their fundraising makes a positive impact on children’s healthcare. This includes engaging with 2025 National Champions Coale, Ava Clarke, Jaxon, and 2024 Champion, Ella, who courageously shared their personal journeys, and the impact of the care received at their local member children’s hospital and CMN Hospitals’ support.
- Celebrating Success: The conference recognized outstanding achievements in fundraising and leadership. See the full list of award winners here
- New Brand Vision Unveiled: CMN Hospitals shared an exclusive preview of its evolving brand, designed to expand its impact and clearly communicate its mission: to bring people together to raise money for children’s healthcare in local communities. This strategic evolution, set to launch publicly in 2026, reinforces CMN Hospitals as the only charity that champions the health of all kids.
- Inspiring Student Voices: Alyssa, the Executive Director of HuskyTHON 2026 at the University of Connecticut, shared her powerful personal story of receiving care at Connecticut Children’s and how that experience fuels her dedication to Dance Marathon. Her story exemplifies the profound connection between student leaders and the cause they champion.
“Attending this conference has ignited motivation in me and the rest of my team, and I am extremely excited about what we can bring back to our campus,” said Alyssa. “Meeting other student leaders from across the country who share my passion and getting the chance to brainstorm and exchange ideas was incredibly impactful. It was also a true honor to stand on stage and share my story—one that began at Connecticut Children’s and now continues through my leadership at HuskyTHON. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to represent my journey and hopefully inspire others to realize the difference they can make.”
Ignite 2025 was made possible thanks to the support of our generous sponsors. Silent Events returned to host an energizing Silent Disco Showcase, offering a fun and interactive experience, along with a special discount code for Campus Programs to bring the excitement back to their own campuses. The Coca-Cola Company—celebrating a partnership 30 years strong—proudly sponsored the Leadership & Management Summit. Student leaders were treated to an exclusive opportunity to hear from Mariangelix Cordero-Bonilla, Director of Colleges & Universities Marketing at The Coca-Cola Company, in a dynamic conversation led by Kristen Schavemaker, Chief Programs & Foundation Partnerships Officer at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
New sponsor, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a longtime leader in the fight against pediatric cancer, brought its mission to Ignite this weekend—inviting attendees to leave handprints on a signature vehicle as a symbol of hope and support for kids facing tough battles. Kevin Reilly, Vice Chair of Hyundai Hope on Wheels and President of Alexandria Hyundai, joined on the mainstage to share more about this impactful work. In a powerful moment, the team presented a $125,000 donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, helping fund lifesaving care for children nationwide.
The conference highlighted its new Campus Programs tagline, “This Generation Lifting Up the Next,” which showcases the program’s powerful mission and the dedication of its student leaders. Through fundraising, member hospitals are empowered to offer the best possible care.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals:
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals was founded more than 40 years ago with the vision to Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future. We’ve raised over $9 billion for 170 children’s hospitals by empowering and engaging with local communities and businesses – and we’re not done yet. All donations benefit local member hospitals to fund what’s needed most, like critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays, and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services.
Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and your local member children’s hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org.
Media Contact:
Christina Vitale
Communications Manager
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
O: 801-214-7400
C: 908-839-2152
cvitale@cmnhospitals.org
CMNHospitals.org
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SOURCE Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
