Wal-Mart Walk for Miracles raises $5 million

Wal-Mart's Walk for Miracles on June 12 was a big success raising $5 million to support Canada's children's hospitals with some 15,000 walkers participating in 12 cities coast-to-coast.

Wal-Mart Canada is the largest corporate sponsor of the Children’s Miracle Network and its signature fundraising event, the annual Wal-Mart Walk for Miracles.

"Since 2004, Wal-Mart's Walk for Miracles has grown to one of the largest charity walks of its kind in Canada," said Wal-Mart Canada's president and CEO David Cheesewright.  "The growth and success of our walk shows just how much our customers and associates care about Canada's kids.  Canadians can relate to the need for children's health and they are comforted to know that the funds raised from our walk will support the best children's hospitals in the world right in our own backyard."

The annual event, now in its eighth year, supports the 2.6 million children who receive care each year at children's hospitals across the country.

Funds raised will stay local and will be directed towards the highest priority needs including lifesaving equipment, ground-breaking research and special programs designed to for patients and their families.

The walks were also strengthened by in-store sales of $1 Children’s Miracle Network balloons at 325 Wal-Mart stores across Canada.

Since 1994, Wal-Mart Canada has raised and donated more than $50 million to the Children’s Miracle Network.