Canvas Credit Union Partners with Children’s Colorado to Save Children’s Lives Through Blood Donation

Children’s Hospital Colorado is elated to announce a $2 million gift from Canvas Credit Union in support of the existing fleet of bloodmobiles that will gather blood donations across the Front Range, covering a 100-mile radius from Boulder to Colorado Springs, and support the Children’s Colorado Blood Donor Center.

Every year at Children’s Colorado, sick and injured kids receive more than 10,000 units of lifesaving blood products, such as platelets, plasma and whole blood. Nearly 65% of the whole blood collected through blood drives comes from bloodmobiles, so each drive is invaluable to the blood supply for Children’s Colorado and saves kids’ lives.

“So far this year, we have hosted more than 140 mobile blood drives in the community,” said Jennifer Sipe, operations supervisor for the Blood Donor Center. “Thanks to the generosity of Canvas Credit Union, whose support of the hospital’s blood donation efforts helps us gather blood in the most efficient way possible, Children’s Colorado can continue to meet the transfusion needs of our young patients.”

Children’s Colorado’s relationship with Canvas dates back to 1987, when the credit union first introduced a fundraising idea known as Link Up for Children’s. This annual effort was the precursor to the current Kick-off for Kids campaign and has helped make a difference in the lives of countless patients treated in Colorado and the surrounding seven-state region.

According to Steve Ferrero, Canvas’ Chief Community Engagement Officer, “Canvas strongly believes in the exceptional care provided by Children’s Hospital Colorado and is committed to supporting their efforts towards a healthier, happier, safer world for the children and families in our communities.”

In 2019 and 2020, Canvas donated $100,000 to fund the construction and equipment for a new adaptive play environment at Children’s Colorado’s KidStreet, a multidisciplinary, early intervention facility in Aurora providing daily rehabilitation services for infants and children with complex medical needs. This new outdoor experience allows these unique patients to play and develop without the challenges they may face at a playground that lacks accessibility features.

Today, Canvas continues to provide an abundance of community support through its Canvas Cares program. Their annual, Shop for Miracles event, where a donation is made for every Canvas debit and credit card transaction on a designated day, and their month-long Kick-off for Kids fundraising drive, where paper footballs are sold and displayed in each of their 33 branches, provide tens of thousands of dollars each year for the benefit of Children’s Hospital Colorado.

“As we look toward the future, one thing is certain: the work of improving children’s health is far from finished, and Canvas’ role in changing kids’ lives remains more important than ever,” said Jennifer Darling, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation. “They have shown the patients we serve that they can count on Canvas every step of the way. We are incredibly proud to report that we see more, treat more, and heal more children than any hospital in our seven-state region, and Canvas has been a key partner to ensuring we can continue to serve so many kids and families. Thank you, Canvas Credit Union, for generously supporting Children’s Colorado. Your partnership is our fuel to create a healthier future for kids.”