The Woman Behind the Balloon

An experience shared by many

Both of Daily’s now-adult children were born prematurely and spent months in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). “My daughter was born at 30 weeks and three days, and then two years later, my son was born at 30 weeks and four days,” Daily says. “At the time, nearly 30 years ago, that was pretty significant.”

Daily says she leaned heavily on the NICU staff during her experiences.

“Both babies had some really significant challenges,” she says. “We had extreme highs and lows where we’d think we were on the right track and then they’d diagnose a brain bleed or hydrocephalus or a collapsed lung. And the care team—the physicians, the nurses, the volunteers, the baby holders—they blew me away with their compassion, their care.”

This deeply personal connection gave Daily a unique appreciation for CMN hospitals’ work—so in November 2023, she assumed her position as the organization’s president and CEO.

Even without a personal connection to CMN, you’re probably familiar with the balloon logo. You may have seen it around town and wondered whether to donate to Children’s Miracle Network or directly to Phoenix Children’s. Fortunately, it’s not an either-or decision. Donations to CMN go to the local hospital—when you give to CMN across the state (except for southern Arizona), your contributions go directly to Phoenix Children’s.

“CMN has been a vital fundraising partner for Phoenix Children’s since 1983,” says Susan O’Donnell, director of corporate account management at Phoenix Children’s Foundation. “Through CMN’s model, we’re able to bring in contributions from national brands like Marriott, RE/MAX and Dairy Queen, and they work seamlessly with us to keep every dollar local.”

For instance, when you shop at Valley Costco Warehouses in May and donate to CMN at the register, that money goes to Phoenix Children’s. “At Phoenix Children’s, CMN funds have gone toward such programs as 1 Darn Cool School and Child Life,” O’Donnell says.