The organization celebrates 13 inspiring stories of children across the nation, exemplifying the power of hope and bringing its mission to life
SALT LAKE CITY , Jan. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is proud to reaffirm its commitment to helping change kids' health to change the future by announcing its 2025 National Champions. These champions share unique stories of strength, encouraging their communities to unite and raise essential funds for children's healthcare and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
"We are incredibly honored to celebrate these extraordinary children as our 2025 National Champions," said Aimee J. Daily, Ph.D., President & CEO of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "Their journeys of courage and resilience, made possible by the unwavering support of our local member children's hospitals, truly embody the spirit of our organization."
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals brings people together to raise funds for 170 member hospitals across the U.S. and Canada, providing critical treatment, essential equipment, and innovative programs for children in local communities. The mission is brought to life through the stories of these CMN Hospitals' Champions:
- Ava Clarke: Ava Clarke was born with albinism, affecting her vision. At Children's of Mississippi at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, a member hospital, she received specialized care that dramatically improved her eyesight. Now, Ava Clarke embraces her uniqueness and advocates for others with albinism.
- Avery: Born prematurely with Down syndrome, Avery faced numerous health challenges. Thanks to the support of Dayton Children's Hospital and CMN Hospitals, she received specialized care and hearing aids. Today, Avery thrives, embracing life with boundless enthusiasm. She inspires everyone she meets, reminding us that the power of community can transform children's healthcare.
- Braylen and Rylee: Braylen and Rylee, siblings facing communication challenges, found their voices at Corewell Health Children's, thanks to support from CMN Hospitals. They overcame obstacles through specialized therapy and programs, gained confidence, and now inspire others. Their journey shows the power of community support in helping every child reach their full potential.
- Will: A car accident changed Will's life forever, leaving him unable to walk. But with the support of Dell Children's Medical Center, he found a new path. Therapists helped him regain strength and embrace life in a wheelchair. Today, Will is a wheelchair basketball national champion, proving that nothing can hold him back. His story shows the remarkable impact of CMN Hospitals. Your donations can help more kids like Will thrive.
CMN Hospitals envisions a future where all children have access to the best healthcare possible. By unifying local children's hospitals and generous donors around a shared passion to transform children's healthcare, CMN Hospitals is leading the way in providing critical resources and support needed for kids like:
- Coale: Coale's bones may be fragile, but his spirit isn't. Born with a rare condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type III, he's faced countless fractures and surgeries. But thanks to Children's Hospital of Georgia and support from CMN Hospitals, he's thriving. You can find him practicing jiu-jitsu, exploring the wonders of space, and having a blast on the playground. He's proof that even the biggest challenges can't stop a determined spirit.
- Landon: Landon, a young soccer enthusiast, faced a challenging battle with leukemia. He found strength through the support of Rady Children's Hospital and CMN Hospitals. Now Landon is done with his treatment, ready to reclaim his passion for soccer. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and the profound impact of community support.
- Lyndie: Born prematurely at just 23 weeks and weighing barely more than one pound five ounces, Lyndie's odds were stacked against her. She needed multiple surgeries, including a tracheostomy, g-tube placement, and heart surgery, just to survive. Thanks to the essential care at HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital and the support of CMN Hospitals, she defied expectations. Today, Lyndie is a thriving 11-year-old, full of life and dreaming of a future as a marine biologist.
Guided by the values of integrity, courage, collaboration, accountability, and excellence, CMN Hospitals remains dedicated to making a lasting impact on children's health. The organization's commitment to these values is evident in the stories of champions like:
- Jaxon: Jaxon was born with a rare, complex genetic condition called CDK13 that requires ongoing specialized care. Thanks to the support of CMN Hospitals, Jaxon and other kids like him have access to the care they need to have a healthier future. Jaxon's story proves that even the toughest obstacles can be overcome with the right help.
- Locke: Locke, born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition, received essential care at Arkansas Children's, a member hospital. His adoptive dad, Ben, had also battled a different heart condition as a baby. Knowing Locke would receive the same expert care Ben did gave his parents peace of mind. Now, Locke is a happy and healthy 6-year-old. His story shows how donations provide vital support in changing a kid's health to build bright futures.
- Melody: Melody, born with amniotic band syndrome, where thread-like bands restricted the growth of her fingers and toes, discovered a path towards greater possibilities at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Through surgeries, she regained the use of her hands and the confidence to pursue her passions, singing fearlessly on stage and expressing herself through vibrant artwork. Melody's story shows us that with transformative medical care, anything is possible.
- Nazaria: Nazaria's world changed overnight when she was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer at just 12 years old. But thanks to Children's Wisconsin and the support of CMN Hospitals, she received the best possible care, from surgery to emotional support. Even though Nazaria faces ongoing challenges with her health and recently had another procedure to remove tissue affected by the cancer, she continues to show incredible strength. Today, Nazaria is a teenager who enjoys spending time with loved ones and embracing life. Her journey is a testament to the power of community and the impact of your generosity, as she continues on her road to recovery.
- Shaylie: Shaylie's joyful day at the park turned tragic when she was hit by a car. Her injuries were severe, but thanks to the expert care at Renown Children's Hospital and support of CMN Hospitals, she made an incredible recovery. Shaylie's story shows the impact of community support.
- ZaLayaa: ZaLayaa's early life was filled with medical mysteries. Doctors struggled to understand her rare conditions - she's a "zebra," a child with many invisible disabilities - making everyday life difficult. But at Gillette Children's, with support from CMN Hospitals, things changed. ZaLayaa discovered the joy of movement and play through adaptive sports and accessible playgrounds. At Gillette, her truth, "See Me," took on new meaning. ZaLayaa is a champion, embracing a life full of possibilities and showing everyone that even with challenges, kids can still have fun and achieve great things.
These stories represent a small fraction of the countless kids and families impacted by CMN Hospitals. Through continued community support and dedication to its mission, vision, and values, CMN Hospitals and its member hospitals will continue to be a source of strength for children and families across the U.S. and Canada.
Join Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in transforming children's health. To learn more about our champions or to donate to your local member hospital, visit http://www.cmnhospitals.org.
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals partners with leading pediatric healthcare providers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Through unrestricted fundraising, local network hospitals are able to fulfill their most urgent needs. Whether that's providing care to children without insurance, investing in research that discovers life-saving treatments and cures, training the next generation of doctors and nurses, or offering families comfort and peace of mind during the most trying moments of their lives, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' funds are used where they are needed most.
About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals:
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals was founded more than 40 years ago with the vision to Change Kids' Health, Change the Future. We've raised over $9 billion for 170 children's hospitals by empowering and engaging with local communities and businesses – and we're not done yet. All donations benefit local member hospitals to fund what's needed most, like critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids' and families' minds at ease during difficult hospital stays, and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services. Together, we can change kids' health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and your local member children's hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org
Media Contact
Christina Vitale, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, 8012147400, [email protected], https://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/
SOURCE Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
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