MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital

08/13/2026

As families prepare for a new school year, healthy sleep habits can do more than help kids focus in the classroom. Getting enough sleep supports brain development, physical health, and even long-term heart health.

Dr. Carrie Gordon of MaineHealth shares why establishing consistent bedtime routines now can set children up for success all year long.

Read more:

As families get back into school-year routines, doctors say making sure children get enough sleep can improve learning and energy while also helping protect their long-term heart health.

08/11/2026

⚾ We can’t wait to cheer on Malachi as he takes his celebratory run around the bases tonight at Maine Children's Cancer Program Fund Night with the Portland Sea Dogs!

Be sure to stop by the MCCPF table on the concourse to pick up an exclusive set of baseball cards featuring this season’s Heroes. Donations are appreciated and go directly toward supporting the children and families served by MCCPF.

See you at the ballpark! 💛

08/07/2026

TODAY is the first day of Ace Hardware Miracle Bucket Days! 🎉

Now through Sunday, August 9, support MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s - your local Children's Miracle Network hospital - with a $5 donation at participating Ace locations and receive an exclusive 5-gallon Miracle Bucket ✨🪣 plus 20% off nearly everything that fits inside.

Your donations help kids like Stella, our 2026 MHBBC Patient Champion. Thank you for your support! 💙

08/06/2026

Thank you to our friends at Aloft Portland Downtown Waterfront ME for “rooting” for our patients! 🥤

Celebrating National Root Beer Float Day is a tradition for many Marriott hotels - and Aloft is celebrating double-time! Yesterday, they served lunch and root beer floats to the patients and staff at MHBBC. Today, until 6:00 PM, you can visit the Aloft hotel in downtown Portland and treat yourself to a free root beer float. Donations of any amount will also be accepted in support of MHBBC!

We’re so thankful for their support! 🙌

Children's Miracle Network

08/04/2026

We know what we're doing August 7-9... do you? ✨🪣

Stop by your local participating Ace Hardware from August 7th - 9th and receive a 5-gallon bucket for a $5 donation to MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's, a member of Children's Miracle Network. Fill your bucket with almost anything you can fit inside and score 20% off!

Every bucket makes a difference for the children in our community. 🎉

Visit www.mhbbc.org/ace for a list of participating Ace Hardware locations near you.

07/30/2026

🍨 Today is Miracle Treat Day! 🍨

Visit a participating Dairy Queen and order a BLIZZARD Treat! 🎉 $1 or more from every BLIZZARD Treat sold - any size, any flavor - will directly benefit MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s, your local Children's Miracle Network hospital.

Please be sure to thank the DQ staff for their support, and share a picture of you and your BLIZZARD Treat in the comments! 🍨🤳

07/23/2026

Mark your calendars for DQ Miracle Treat Day - 7/30! 🍨

Next Thursday, July 30, treat yourself to a BLIZZARD Treat and help local kids receive the care they need. During Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day, $1 or more from every BLIZZARD Treat sold—any size, any flavor—at participating locations will be donated to MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s, your local Children's Miracle Network hospital.

Whether you’re craving a classic favorite or trying a new flavor, every BLIZZARD Treat makes a difference. 💙

For a list of participating locations, visit www.bbch.org/DQ

07/22/2026

20 YEARS of partnership! 🤸🎉

We are incredibly proud to celebrate two decades of partnering with the Governor John Fairfield School in S**o! As one of our very first partners 20 years ago, their amazing team has fully embraced our mission. Together, they have built a school culture where healthy habits are a part of everyday life for students, staff, and families. Thank you, Fairfield School, for your unwavering support, dedication and the massive impact you’ve made on generations of S**o families! Read more at: letsgo.org/20years

07/21/2026

Biking is a great way for kids to stay active and have fun, but a few simple safety steps can help prevent injuries and keep every ride enjoyable.

Before hitting the road or trail, make sure your child's helmet fits snugly and sits level on their head. Choose a bike that fits properly, allowing 1 to 2 inches of clearance between the rider and the bike's top bar, and make sure kids are easy to see by wearing bright colors and using reflectors.

Remind children to follow traffic rules, ride predictably, and stay alert to their surroundings. Whether they're riding in the neighborhood, at the park, or on a family outing, safe habits start before the wheels start turning.

Swipe for a quick guide to proper bike fit, helmet safety, and visibility tips for kids.

07/14/2026

As reported last week by WMTW-TV, new research funded by the National Institutes of Health could help answer important questions about how exposure to so-called forever chemicals could affect the long-term health of children.

MaineHealth pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Abby Fleisch has received a grant from the NIH to study whether exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) early in life could increase a person's risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

According to Dr. Fleisch, "Children tend to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of environmental exposure because their bodies are still growing and developing,"

See more of this story and interview with Dr. Fleisch: https://bit.ly/4faIu7Z

PFAS, or so-called forever chemicals, have been linked to many problems. Now, a Maine doctor is looking at how exposure during childhood could cause problems later in life.