Costco community continues caring for kids

Every year the team at Costco proves that small gestures make a big impact. By collecting donations at the checkout in 2025 alone, Manitoba stores raised over $313,000 for kids who need our province’s only children’s hospital. And behind every ask at the till, is a story.

When Costco shoppers make a gift, Sage, a supervisor at the Costco location on Regent Ave. in Winnipeg, sees more than spare change – she sees the hospital that saved her life.

Sage was born with a hole in her heart, but her family didn’t know about her condition until she was three months old. Her mom became concerned that Sage wasn’t crying like most kids that age and took her to see the experts at HSC Children’s Hospital. They explained Sage wasn’t getting enough air because her heart couldn’t pump at full capacity and rushed her into surgery.

Doctors used titanium clips to close the hole in Sage’s heart, and after a few weeks of recovery she was able to go home. But Sage’s condition left her with a weakened immune system, so she needed ongoing care as she grew. Her journey became even more complicated when she was 11 years old and contracted Lyme disease.

“When I was a kid, I would say the hospital is my second home because I was there so often,” says Sage.

“Every time I was there, they knew my name and I have great memories like the staff offering me popsicles. The pink one was my favourite.”

Sage spent two years in and out of hospital for Lyme disease treatment and still lives with symptoms like brain fog. Now in her twenties, Sage also deals with dizziness and heart palpitations from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a chronic condition affecting the nervous system. 

While her medical journey has created challenges, it’s also inspired Sage to give back.

Every year since her Lyme disease diagnosis, Sage has hosted garage and bake sales to fundraise for Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. And now she says being part of Costco’s campaign brings her hope.  

“It makes me really happy and means a lot when shoppers make a donation,” says Sage. “Every little bit counts and there are so many kids like me who need that support for the future.”  

Marisa, a manager who also works at the Regent Ave. Costco, says she’s proud of Sage for sharing her story and their store finds a lot of meaning in fundraising including dedicating a weekend of donations to a team member who passed.

“We do a lot of bellringings and celebrating those donations,” says Marisa. “We’re fortunate enough to have some generous members who make annual contributions, like one customer who gives in honour of her five grandchildren.”

When you donate at a Costco store in Manitoba, that money stays right here in Manitoba to make sure kids in our community receive the best care possible. Funds go towards leading-edge equipment, programs that provide comfort during difficult times, innovative spaces and world class pediatric health research.

Please join the Costco community and #ContinueCaringForKids by making a gift at the till.