Credit unions present $506K to CMN at annual Cherry Blossom Run

April 13, 2026

Nearly 20,000 runners joined credit union leaders, policymakers, and community partners Sunday for the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run to support Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson, Board Chair Karen Harbin and MD|DC Credit Union Association President/CEO John Bratsakis were among the leaders who presented CMN with a check for $506,230 Sunday morning, raised by Credit Union Miracle Day.

Credit Union Miracle Day has raised more than $12.5 million since credit unions became the race's sponsor in 2002, and credit unions have raised more than $220 million for CMN hospitals since 1986. 

“We talk a lot about purpose at America’s Credit Unions. This race is the perfect example of that. It’s credit unions’ ‘people helping people’ philosophy put into action to help make sure every child across the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals receives the best possible care,” said Catherine Porterfield, vice president of member engagement and service at America’s Credit Unions. “The stories we hear about the children and families receiving treatment at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals can be heartbreaking but also show why credit unions’ longstanding partnership with Children’s Miracle Network is so important.”

“This popular run presents a unique opportunity to make a difference for children being cared for at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and raises visibility and awareness about all the good credit unions do for their members and communities,” said Bratsakis, who chairs Credit Union Miracle Day.

More than 160 Members of Congress participated as honorary race chairs, alongside more than 1,000 congressional staffers, underscoring the strong connection between the credit union movement and policymakers on Capitol Hill. More than 400 credit union employees volunteered at the event.

Congressional Federal Credit Union, Senate Federal Credit Union, and America’s Credit Unions, along with partners including Velera and TruStage, sponsored the race.

Mohammed El Youssfi of Morocco was the first-place men’s finisher with a time of 46:17. Asayech Ayichew of Ethiopia was the top women’s finisher with a time of 50:37.

In California’s capital, more than 2,000 runners participated in the annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run, which also supports CMN. California’s Credit Unions hosts the event, now in its 14th year, which has raised more than $3 million for CMN.