Meet Piper: This Year’s CU4Kids Champion Child

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on August 13, 2026

Every year at MAXX, the CU4Kids Benefit Auction reminds us why credit unions rally together in support of the 11 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in the GoWest region. Behind every sponsorship, donation, and raised paddle are children and families whose lives have been forever changed by the care they received.

This year, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Piper, the 2026 Champion Child, and hear their family’s remarkable story during the Moonlight & Miracles CU4Kids Benefit Auction on Thursday, Oct. 8 in Denver.

Piper’s Story

When Piper was just 4 years old, she began experiencing pain in her arm. At first, her parents, Bailey and Doug, hoped it might be something minor like growing pains. But when Piper started losing function in her hand, her doctor quickly referred the family to Children’s Hospital Colorado.

An MRI revealed a golf ball-sized tumor pressing against Piper’s spinal cord, leading to a diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Suddenly, Piper and her family found themselves facing an overwhelming journey that included 31 days of radiation and 28 weeks of bi-weekly chemotherapy.

Throughout her treatment, Piper was surrounded by a compassionate team of specialists who cared for her as if she were their own. She also formed a special bond with a medical dog named Ralph, a Golden Retriever whose visits brought comfort, companionship, and moments of joy during some of her most difficult days.

Today, Piper is cancer-free. Her family remains deeply grateful for the exceptional care, support, and hope they found at Children’s Hospital Colorado, and they are honored to share Piper’s story as this year’s CU4Kids Champion Child.

Piper’s story reflects the life-changing impact of Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and the importance of ensuring families have access to expert care when they need it most. Thanks to the compassion, expertise, and resources available at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Piper is now thriving.

At MAXX, her parents will share more about their family’s journey and the role Children’s Hospital Colorado played during some of their most difficult moments. Their story is a powerful reminder of why the credit union community comes together each year in support of CU4Kids.

We are honored to welcome Piper and her family to MAXX 2026 and look forward to celebrating the hope, healing, and miracles made possible through the generosity of credit unions across the GoWest region.

Be a Star

To learn more about sponsorship and online auction donation opportunities at Moonlight & Miracles, click here or contact Lexy Strong, Director of Credit Union Communities.