Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 51 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.
The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2011 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.
The Champions travel for a week in October, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals sponsors, hospital representatives and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Lily's Story
Lily
Age 5
New Hampshire
Children’s Hospital Boston
Biliary Atresia-Liver Transplant
At first, Lily appeared to be a perfectly healthy newborn. But shortly after taking her home, her parents began to worry that she had jaundice. At just 6-weeks-old, the team at Children’s Hospital Boston diagnosed Lily with Biliary Atresia, a disease that prevents bile from leaving the liver and eventually results in scarring and cirrhosis.
Lily had abdominal surgery to help her liver, but she still needed to be placed on the liver transplant list. Doctors expressed concern that without a transplant, Lily wouldn’t make it to her second birthday.
At 19-months-old, Lily’s new liver arrived. The recovery from surgery wasn’t easy, but Lily walked laps in the hospital to visit other kids and made friends with the nursing staff, winning everyone over with her infectious personality.
Now 5, you would never know Lily had to fight to survive the first few years of her life. She spends her time doing her favorite things, including playing sports, helping her teacher, and singing along to music.
Age 5
New Hampshire
Children’s Hospital Boston
Biliary Atresia-Liver Transplant
At first, Lily appeared to be a perfectly healthy newborn. But shortly after taking her home, her parents began to worry that she had jaundice. At just 6-weeks-old, the team at Children’s Hospital Boston diagnosed Lily with Biliary Atresia, a disease that prevents bile from leaving the liver and eventually results in scarring and cirrhosis.
Lily had abdominal surgery to help her liver, but she still needed to be placed on the liver transplant list. Doctors expressed concern that without a transplant, Lily wouldn’t make it to her second birthday.
At 19-months-old, Lily’s new liver arrived. The recovery from surgery wasn’t easy, but Lily walked laps in the hospital to visit other kids and made friends with the nursing staff, winning everyone over with her infectious personality.
Now 5, you would never know Lily had to fight to survive the first few years of her life. She spends her time doing her favorite things, including playing sports, helping her teacher, and singing along to music.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)