As residents of Atlanta, you've probably heard of the great work done by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. However, if you're lucky enough to have never had a child who needed to use CHOA for treatment or if you've never been personally involved by volunteering or donating, you may not know just how important it is to support this wonderful non-profit organization.

It's vital for everyone who lives in the Atlanta area to be aware of the impact CHOA has on each and every one of us. Here is some more background on the good work that Children's does in our area and why it's important to consider volunteering with, donating to, or sponsoring the organization.

WHO CHOA SERVES

In 2016, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta served more than 391,000 children from all 159 counties in Georgia. This amounted to $132.4 million dollars in care, including care to more than 235,000 children whose families could not cover the cost. This care included those families whose personal insurance would not cover the full costs as well as those who were uninsured or covered by Medicaid.

A reduction in Medicaid budgets now means many of those same families could be at risk. Though children make up nearly 60 percent of Medicaid enrollment, they consist of less than a quarter of the spending, and for every 1 percent in Medicaid payment reduction, CHOA is negatively impacted by nearly $5.5 million. This is why donations are so important-we must continue to provide for those children who need help.

CHOA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY

Children's provides jobs for more than 10,600 and provides care for patients from all 159 counties. This makes a huge impact on the Georgia economy. In addition to being a major employer, the healthcare facility performed over 42,000 surgical procedures in 2017 and saw 391,277 unique patients.

Research is another emphasis at CHOA and another way the center contributes to both the economy and the overall health of our children. Children's does research in numerous areas including orthopaedics, kidney disease, cancer and blood disorders, neuroscience, heart disease and concussions. Their research helps identify treatments, develop better diagnostics, and improve the health of children around the world.

There are numerous ways you can support Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Consider becoming a one-time, monthly, or legacy donor or volunteer your time to make deliveries, spend time with children bedside, plan a patient activity, or participate in a fundraiser. Businesses can also get involved by sponsoring or donating to one of its many events. If you'd like to get involved, please visit the hospital website for more information.