Considering supporting a children's hospital? These factors may just convince you to take the leap.

#1 Children's hospitals play many roles.

If you think a children's hospital is only for special care and treatment, think again. They play a critical role in helping children aged 0 through 17 with primary and emergency care, and long-term treatment for injuries or diagnoses.

#2 Only half of child patients receive care at a children's hospital.

Only about half of all children who could be in a children's hospital actually are. Over 50% are being treated in adult facilities where they don't get the same treatment or resources. This is most often because of limited capacity in children's hospitals as many don't have the funds to expand.

#3 Most children's hospitals are not-for-profit.

Non-profit children's hospitals, in particular, rely on programs like The Crayon Initiative to provide a safe, comfortable stay for every patient.

#4 All children's hospitals need assistance and support.

Whether for-profit or not, every children's hospital can benefit from additional assistance and support, which will enable them to better serve their community.

#5 Smaller hospitals are often overlooked.

While the biggest children's hospitals may be equipped to help more children, we often overlook smaller hospitals even though they can better serve the local area.

#6 Charity care continues to be under-funded.

Some major hospitals, like St. Jude, promise that families never pay for "treatment, travel, housing, or food." However, most children's hospitals who offer charity care are severely under-funded and limited as to how much free care they can offer.

#7 Children's hospitals don't just serve the needy.

There's a widespread misconception that children's hospitals only help underprivileged children, but they actually play a critical role in helping children of all backgrounds.

#8 Over 80% of donations go straight to treatment.

Leading not-for-profit children's hospitals, such as St. Jude, say that over 82 cents out of every dollar goes straight to covering the cost of treatment and life-saving research.

#9 The cost of fundraising is a necessary one.

When considering how donations may be spent, don't underestimate the cost of fundraising. This is a critical activity that more than pays for itself.

#10 They never get the option of "free labor."

Whether for-profit or not-for-profit, all children's hospitals have to cover the cost of paying staff for their work and involvement.

#11 Volunteers are few and far between.

Due to labor laws, child safety, hygiene, and a variety of other considerations, volunteers can't do much to ease the financial burden of staffing a children's hospital.

#12 Children's hospitals have some of the best environments.

Of all facilities in the healthcare field, children's hospitals work hard to keep their young patients comfortable.

#13 Children's hospitals have some of the best staff.

Nothing could compare to the compassionate individuals who staff children's hospitals across the country.

#14 A focus on out-patient care keeps costs down.

Whenever possible, children's hospitals try to pursue out-patient care to keep costs down for the hospital and patients' families.

#15 Normalcy and recovery are the priority.

Whether a child is facing a long-term illness or a short-term injury, restoring normalcy to their lives and enabling a quick, complete recovery is always the main focus.

#16 Children's hospitals require many specialists.

Given the sheer breadth of illnesses and injuries children's hospitals see, they have to network with and employ a number of specialists.

#17 Families seek more than medical care from children's hospitals.

In addition to medical care and guidance, families often rely on children's hospitals for emotional support and community connections.

#18 Recovery is often a lifelong journey.

Children's hospitals are very much dedicated to patient follow-ups and ongoing care, all of which takes time and a great deal of resources.

#19 Monetary donations aren't the only way to help.

Financial donations can work wonders for a children's hospital, but there are many more ways to help, such as crayon donation.

#20 Supporting a children's hospital is easier than you think.

If you can't make a donation directly to a children's hospital, The Crayon Initiative has plenty of ideas how you can help them without spending a penny. Running a crayon donation drive, for example, can help lessen children's anxiety while hospitalized and supply them with much-needed art supplies to restore normalcy to their lives. Meanwhile, you're helping to stop over a half million pounds of crayons from going to landfills each year. Learn more about The Crayon Initiative and how you can help.