Thursday, March 11, 2010

Joshua's Story

Joshua
Age 8
MRSA-Staph Infection

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

Joshua’s most prized possession is a bag of dirt. It isn’t just any dirt, but dirt from Fenway Park sent to him by the Boston Red Sox. The gift arrived while Joshua was in the hospital, helping to lift his spirits as he battled a life-threatening infection.

In September 2009, Joshua was admitted to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for an extremely rare form of staph infection, commonly referred to as flesh-eating bacteria. The next six weeks were a series of surgeries, transfusions, tests and rehab. Doctors were unsure how he would respond to treatment because of the rarity of his infection. In order to help others like Joshua, his family has given permission to infectious disease researchers to study his case.

Joshua, 8, is out of the hospital, receives blood-thinning injections daily, and is working hard with physical therapists to get back to where he can play baseball, so he can perhaps someday hit a homerun at Fenway Park.

About Walmart and Sam’s Club

Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $500 million for children’s hospitals during the 23 year relationship. This is the second year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions program.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club is a Children's Miracle Network program that brings attention to the important work being done at children’s hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have faced severe medical challenges.

The Champions program designates a champion 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 2010 champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, heart transplants and traumas, as well as life-threatening staph infections.

As part of Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, the champions travel for a week in June to Washington, D.C., where champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. The family then travels to Orlando, Fla., for a second week in November. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsor, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.