Earlier this year, I was named Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Teen Ambassador. This honor has come with some amazing opportunities. One that stood out recently was helping ALEX AND ANI launch the beautiful new Unicorn Charm Bangle from their CHARITY BY DESIGN® collection that directly benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®.
It’s no secret that jewelry for charity is something I can easily get behind, especially when it’s a charity that has captured my heart. But this partnership is about so much more than jewelry. It’s about kids.
One of those is 9-year-old Jeannette, who I met at a launch event for the bangle in the hometown and headquarters of ALEX AND ANI – Cranston, Rhode Island. Jeannette was born with brittle bone disease, which means she has extremely fragile bones. She broke her first bone when she was six-months-old, and has had several more bone fractures since then. Yet, this little girl is all sunshine – from her long blonde hair to her sweet smile.
Harlan Kent, President of ALEX AND ANI, and Jeannette at the launch event for the Unicorn Charm Bangle at ALEX AND AN Chapel View.
Another is Grace. When she was just a year old, doctors discovered she had a tumor that had wrapped around the base of her spinal column. She endured chemotherapy and then surgery to remove the tumor. Thankfully, she was too young to remember much and is now a five-year-old who is just as adorable and bubbly as her sisters.
Both girls were treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Rhode Island, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and each served as a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Champion over the last couple years. Because of donations from the community, including partners like ALEX AND ANI, the hospital could renovate a surgical suite where both Jeannette and Grace had their surgeries.
These girls are amazing and an inspiration to me. Just last week, I needed to go to the hospital. Let’s just say hover boards and I do not mix well! While all is fine now, at the time, I was so grateful to have a place where I could get great care. The more we can support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the more we can give this same comfort to kids like Jeannette and Grace.
And what a great way to support children’s hospitals than with the new ALEX AND ANI Unicorn Charm Bangle! When you purchase this bangle, 20% of the purchase price is donated to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in your community (there are 170 across the United States and Canada).
Historically, unicorns have been known as protectors of the innocent, representing magic and healing. They represent the youth and magic that lives within each of us. Let’s be magical for kids and give them every chance to get better!
Simpson and a patient at Hasbro Children’s Hospital showcase their unicorn-inspired #CHARMEDARMS.
_____
Alli Simpson is Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Teen Ambassador. The Australian singer is also a model, actress, fashion columnist and host of Radio Disney’s “The Alli Simpson Show.”
