Annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom race raises $460K for CMN hospitals

Thousands of runners joined credit union leaders, Congressional staffers, and more at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Sunday for the “runner’s rite of spring.” America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle, America’s Credit Unions Board Chairman Patrick Pierce, MD|DC Credit Union Association President/CEO (and Credit Unions 4 Kids Chair) John Bratsakis joined others at the starting line Sunday morning to present a check for $460,000 to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospitals. 

Women’s first-place finisher Taylor Roe broke a world record as the first woman to finish a 10-mile run under 50 minutes, with a time of 49:53. Charles Hicks was the men’s winner, with a time of 45:15. The event also served as the USA Track and Field 10-mile championship. 

Credit unions raise funds primarily through Credit Union Miracle Day, a partnership of more than 100 credit unions and partner organizations that sponsor the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile and 5K benefiting CMN Hospitals. 

“I am never surprised by how this industry shows up, but I am always inspired. This week is full of inspiration as thousands of runners from around the world raise awareness on Capitol Hill for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the credit unions that support this important cause,” said Catherine Porterfield, America’s Credit Unions vice president of member engagement and service. “We talk a lot about purpose at America’s Credit Unions, and this race is the perfect example of that. It is putting the credit unions’ ‘people helping people’ philosophy into action and for a purpose that everyone can get behind: helping to make sure every child in the 170 hospitals across the U.S. and Canada receive the best possible care.”

“The amount of children that you have helped, hundreds of thousands of kids through the Children’s Hospital here in D.C., alone, not to mention the 32 million children who are seen at CMN Hospitals, is incredible,” said Bratsakis.  

Credit Unions 4 Kids was recognized with the Founder’s Award by CMN Hospitals last year, only the seventh time it has been awarded. Credit unions have raised nearly $12 million for CMN Hospitals through the race since 2002. 

America’s Credit Unions, U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union, and Congressional Federal Credit Union are among the sponsors for the event. 

For U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union President/CEO Tim Anderson, the event resonates on a personal level. His granddaughter suffered from a mysterious disease more than 20 years ago, and it wasn’t until they visited the specialists at CMN hospitals that she was eventually diagnosed with the rare esophageal disease achalasia. 

“At the time they told us worldwide maybe 100,000 people have this disease, and they literally saved her life,” he said. 

Tricia Szurgot, president/CEO of Congressional Federal Credit Union, said the race illustrates the power of the credit union movement.

“Many people think we’re only in the money or finance business, but we’re in the people business,” she said. “And the people business requires that we as credit unions work together, and this race is the perfect example.”

A similar race took place Sunday nearly 3,000 miles away at the annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run in Sacramento, Calif. More than 60 California and Nevada credit unions raised nearly $200,000 for CMN Hospitals, bringing the total raised over the past several years to $2 million.