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

Laine's Story

Laine
Age 4

North Dakota
Sanford Children’s Hospital

Accidental Gunshot Wound

In September 2010, Laine was the victim of an accidental gunshot wound to the thigh. Laine was immediately airlifted to Sanford Children’s Hospital for surgery and treatment. He needed a wound V.A.C. (Vacuum Assisted Closure) to provide a protected wound-healing environment that would remove infectious materials.

Demonstrating an incredibly positive attitude throughout his recovery, Laine called the wound V.A.C. his “machine” because it became a part of him and went everywhere he went. But Laine didn’t let the machine slow him down one bit. Less than one week after his injury, Laine was walking on his own.

Fortunately, the accident affected mostly tissue and very little muscle, so Laine won’t experience any permanent physical effects from the gunshot. Today Laine gravitates toward anything that has to do with farming, especially riding horses with his mom and helping his dad feed the cows.