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

Aiden's Story

Aiden
Age 5

Pennsylvania
Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital

Motor Vehicle Accident

On a fall day in 2008, 3-year-old Aiden’s life would forever change. After telling him to get in the car seat in their truck, Aiden’s father quickly went inside to tell his wife goodbye. The truck was not running and the keys were not in the car, but somehow the truck was knocked into gear and rolled down the driveway off a 10-foot rock embankment. Aiden was thrown into a neighboring field, fracturing his skull.

After being rushed to Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, Aiden spent the next 43 days overcoming the trauma inflicted on his small body. The accident caused damage to his skull, which caused him to have a stroke and resulted in him losing mobility to the left side of his body. He was discharged in December just in time for the holidays.

Aiden is now attending preschool and continues physical therapy and occupational therapy twice a week. He continues to improve every day and never lets anything get in his path. Aiden has a great appreciation of life and makes sure that everyone around him feels the same way.