Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Grace's Story

Grace
Age 16
Children's Hospital Boston
Heart Transplant

Whether baking her favorite cookies, doing homework or planning her next fundraiser for organ donation awareness, Grace puts her whole heart into everything she does. Her determination and perseverance have helped her through a life full of health issues.

1-year-old Grace underwent open-heart surgery to close a hole in her heart. She was added to the heart transplant list at age 13 and received one shortly thereafter. One month later, Grace contracted an infection from her new heart. However, just as she had done numerous times before, Grace fought on and recovered.

Five months after her transplant, Grace stood in front of an auditorium of high school students and shared the importance of organ donation. Grace is determined to continue helping other children in need of organs. Her life beats to the rhythm of service, determination and culinary excellence!

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 54 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 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2012 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 September, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state representatives on Capitol Hill and visit the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. While there, Champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners, hospital representatives and media partners. These groups convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.