Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions

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.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Hanna's Story

Hanna
Age 12

Oregon
Rogue Valley Medical Center

Hurler's Disease

Like many sisters, Morgan and Hanna shared almost everything. But when Hanna was diagnosed with Hurler’s Disease, Morgan shared something that would change both of their lives forever—her bone marrow. Hurler’s disease makes it impossible for Hanna to breakdown starches produced in her body and those starches attack various organs and structures in her body. Morgan’s marrow helps Hanna’s body produce the enzymes needed to reverse those attacks.

Hanna continues to visit Rogue Valley Medical Center for infusion therapy to replace the enzymes her body doesn’t produce. The infusions will continue for the rest of her life.

But that certainly doesn’t stop Hanna from living with gusto. From riding ponies to flying hot air balloons, she lives life to the fullest…a gift she knows is in great part to her sister and the incredible medical staff at Rogue Valley Medical Center.