Catherine Porterfield, vice president of membership engagement & service, offers remarks on service, purpose at the event’s press ceremony held Thursday on Capitol Hill.
America’s Credit Unions and credit union advocates presented Children’s Miracle Network with a check for $506,000 during the Credit Union Cherry Blossom press conference at the Capitol Visitor Center.
Credit Union Miracle Day is a partnership of over 100 credit unions, CUSOs and partner organizations united to sponsor the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile & 5K benefiting Children’s Miracle Network nationwide and promoting the difference credit unions make in their communities. MD|DC Credit Union Association President/CEO John Bratsakis chairs Credit Union Miracle Day.
“We talk a lot about purpose at America’s Credit Unions. This race is the perfect example of that. It’s credit unions’ ‘people helping people’ philosophy put into action to help make sure every child across the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals receives the best possible care,” said Catherine Porterfield, Vice President of Member Engagement and Service at America’s Credit Unions.
“This popular run presents a unique opportunity to make a difference for children being cared for at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and raises visibility and awareness about all the good credit unions do for their members and communities,” said John Bratsakis, Chair of the Credit Union Miracle Day. “We are grateful for the support of lead sponsors, Velera, TruStage and Visa, and the hundreds of credit union volunteers who donate their time to this event.”
Congressional Federal Credit Union, Senate Federal Credit Union, and America’s Credit Unions, along with support from partners including Velera and TruStage, sponsor the Credit Union Cherry Blossom.
The annual race brings together thousands of runners, credit union leaders, policymakers, and community partners in support of Children’s Miracle Network.
“The stories we hear about the children and families receiving treatment at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals can be heartbreaking but also show why credit unions’ longstanding partnership with Children’s Miracle Network is so important,” Porterfield said.
This year’s event marks another milestone for the credit union movement, which has now raised $12.5 million over 24 years of credit unions’ title sponsorship of the race.
More than 160 Members of Congress are participating as honorary race chairs, alongside more than 1,000 congressional staffers who will take part in the race, underscoring the strong connection between the credit union movement and policymakers on Capitol Hill. Senators Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal, Jeanne Shaheen, and Chris Van Hollen are among those supporting this year’s event, alongside new honorary co-chairs Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Coons.
Emma Culberson of Children’s National Hospital Foundation shared that the hospital serves 258,000 unique patients, emphasizing the scale of care made possible through partnerships like Credit Unions for Kids. She introduced Zoe, a patient who is now four years cancer-free and advocates for children’s healthcare.
Zoe’s story highlighted how credit union support translates directly into life-changing care for children and families.
“As an industry, we serve more than 145 million members, helping them through tough times and toward financial security. True to credit unions’ mission and focus, our work with the Children’s Miracle Network is about connecting and helping people. That’s the credit union difference,” Porterfield said.
Alane Dent of TruStage highlighted the organization’s continued commitment to the cause, noting participation from employees and volunteers and the broader impact of the credit union system. Lastly, professional marathoner Kira D’Amato joined the credit union advocates at the Capitol for some final words of encouragement.
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run, held annually in Washington, D.C., benefits Children’s Miracle Network, which provides care to millions of children across North America each year.
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