For almost three years, I've been paid to raise money for Children's Minnesota. It's a pretty easy sell. I mean, how can you not support an organization that cares for the most amazing people on earth and turns no family away, regardless of ability to pay? Sweet, right?

And, I've believed in that mission fiercely. Because the incredible part about my job is that I have the privilege of working with the patients and families who are served by Children's. The family whose baby is alive today thanks to a cutting-edge surgery. The single-income family whose child was diagnosed with cancer and mom and dad are able to focus on their child -- not how to pay their bills -- because of philanthropy. The family who said goodbye to their child but wasn't alone in their journey or grief.

In December, I stopped being just a believer. A few days after Ben and I welcomed baby Gene, we got to experience Children's. He was briefly hospitalized twice during his first 10 days of life. Being in the hospital sucks no matter the reason and no matter how long. But you know what? It sucks a lot less when you're at Children's. Simply put, they're the best. 

As you know, I like to run in my spare time, which I have a lot less of now that I'm a mama bear. In June, I'm running a half marathon on behalf of Children's (I know it's not a full marathon, but, hey, I just had a baby). It seemed like a good idea at the time. I was still pregnant and not yet running on near empty. If I'm going to run a half marathon sleep deprived and on under trained legs, it might as well be for a good cause. Which brings me to my first point. How do you not support an organization that cares for the most amazing people on earth and turns no family away, regardless of ability to pay?

You can't. So, I hope you'll give -- whether it's $1, $10 or $100 -- to Children's. Every dollar you donate will support the organization's must urgent needs.