The money raised helps the hospital treat children with chronic illnesses and life threatening diseases.

Leslie Nelson said she never expected to feel at home at the North Carolina Children's Hospital, but the birth of her son Carter changed all that.

"Carter was very unexpectedly born three months prematurely,” Nelson said. “I had a completely healthy pregnancy until that point, and my water broke and here he came."

The Nelsons spent six weeks in the hospital while Carter was in new born critical care.

During that time, Nelson said the nurses and doctors became like family.

Leslie said that’s why she came to the North Carolina Children's Promise Celebration for the third year in a row to help raise money.

Children’s Hospital's Danielle Bates said a gift to the hospital benefits more than just those in the Chapel Hill area.

"It's not like we just serve the Chapel Hill area,” Bates said. “We serve the entire state, all 100 counties throughout North Carolina.”

The Nelsons come back every six months for check ups and, like many other families, said they will come back every November to help raise money for the place they once called home for six weeks.

"We feel like we owe our life and Carter’s life to the great physicians and staff and nurses here at the hospital," Nelson said.

News 14 Carolina is a proud sponsor of the Children's Promise Celebration.