Jenna Jackson: One Year of Making Miracles with CMN at Arnold Palmer Hospital
A reflection on one year of service from Jenna Jackson, a team member of the Orlando Health Foundation:
It’s been one year since I began working with the Children’s Miracle Network team at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, and as I celebrate this one-year work anniversary, it feels completely surreal.
Perhaps it feels that way because my journey with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals began long before I was a team member at Orlando Health. I became a part of the incredible organization known as CMN Hospitals six years ago when I joined Dance Marathon at Florida State University and began fundraising for the kids. Fast forward to today as I look back on one year as an official team member working for a CMN member hospital and I realize that it has brought me even more joy, love and passion for this organization than I could have ever imagined. It is an honor to be a part of this remarkable family and to see the impact Arnold Palmer Medical Center has in the Central Florida Community each and every day.
My days over the last year have seemed wild and crazy – from visiting our Costco Warehouses, coordinating our Un Millon Para Los Ninos Radiothon with our Entravision partners, making more visits to Walmart & Sam’s Club than one could count, to spending late nights at Stetson University’s campus working with their Dance Marathon team and getting to know our incredible miracle families. It sometimes felt like my brain was going a million miles an hour, but, if I learned anything from my time serving with Dance Marathon at FSU, it was that this is often what miracles look like. See for yourself…
Eating Ice Cream on Miracle Treat Day
Travelling to DC for Dance Marathon Leadership Conference
Playing Dress Up for Halloween at the hospital
Spending time with Miracle Families at Walk for Winnie
I am beyond grateful for the constant support and love from my CMN team, for the trips to Momentum, DMLC and Fall Business Meetings and most importantly, grateful for the opportunity to serve my community and help make miracles possible for the children and families served by Arnold Palmer Hospital. I am excited to kickoff year #2 and encouraged to see the impact CMN Hospitals will have across our Nation.
I always joke that CMN is branded on every aspect of my life (my water bottle, T-shirts, car bumper sticker and key chain) but I wouldn’t have it any other way. These are constant reminders of the role that I am so grateful to play in making a difference in the world of pediatric healthcare. Thank you CMN for giving me the greatest blessing of my life!