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.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Hello from the Children's Miracle Network 2011 Champion representing the State of Missouri
It is with great honor and privilege I, Christopher Armstrong, am able to represent the State of Missouri for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. As you can read from my bio, I have had quite the interesting life (to say the least). My philosophy in life is to live each day as if there is no tomorrow.
This blog is to help anyone and everyone who would like to come along for my journey as Children's Miracle Network Hospitals 2011 Champion for Missouri. I am looking forward to an exciting year representing not only all the children in the state of Missouri, but also representing my wonderful hospital: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.
My year will officially start on May 17, 2011 at 10:30 am at the Wal~Mart #069 Festus, Missouri. If you are in the Festus, Missouri area, please plan on attending. I would enjoy seeing everyone there.
Wal~Mart #069
650 South Truman Blvd
Festus, MO 63028
I would like to thank everyone who has supported, is supporting, and will support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Without your support and donations these wonderful hospitals could not accomplish what they do to help all children everywhere, especially children like me!
Yours truly,
Christopher Armstrong
This blog is to help anyone and everyone who would like to come along for my journey as Children's Miracle Network Hospitals 2011 Champion for Missouri. I am looking forward to an exciting year representing not only all the children in the state of Missouri, but also representing my wonderful hospital: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.
My year will officially start on May 17, 2011 at 10:30 am at the Wal~Mart #069 Festus, Missouri. If you are in the Festus, Missouri area, please plan on attending. I would enjoy seeing everyone there.
Wal~Mart #069
650 South Truman Blvd
Festus, MO 63028
I would like to thank everyone who has supported, is supporting, and will support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Without your support and donations these wonderful hospitals could not accomplish what they do to help all children everywhere, especially children like me!
Yours truly,
Christopher Armstrong
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Christopher's Story
Christopher
Age 12
Missouri
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Rare Brain Infection- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
It started one day when Christopher experienced blurred vision and loss of depth perception. Christopher’s mom took him to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Simple optical solutions seemed to be the cure until one month later when Christopher lost all peripheral mobility and nerve functions. A few months after that, Christopher woke up unable to walk.
A year of spinal taps, testing and hospital stays resulted in a diagnosis: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, an extremely rare disease of the brain that destroys protective coating around the nerves. Without this protective coating, nerve impulses slow or stop. At the time of his diagnosis, almost nothing was known about the disease. However, doctors at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center took on the challenge of finding a cure for Christopher.
Treatment has sometimes been trial and error. Christopher’s condition changes on a daily basis. Sometimes he finds himself needing a wheelchair or walker, while other times he can run and walk. Despite the uncertainty of his illness, Christopher lives his life determined to accomplish the things he needs to get done despite any obstacles he may have to overcome.
Age 12
Missouri
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Rare Brain Infection- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
It started one day when Christopher experienced blurred vision and loss of depth perception. Christopher’s mom took him to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Simple optical solutions seemed to be the cure until one month later when Christopher lost all peripheral mobility and nerve functions. A few months after that, Christopher woke up unable to walk.
A year of spinal taps, testing and hospital stays resulted in a diagnosis: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, an extremely rare disease of the brain that destroys protective coating around the nerves. Without this protective coating, nerve impulses slow or stop. At the time of his diagnosis, almost nothing was known about the disease. However, doctors at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center took on the challenge of finding a cure for Christopher.
Treatment has sometimes been trial and error. Christopher’s condition changes on a daily basis. Sometimes he finds himself needing a wheelchair or walker, while other times he can run and walk. Despite the uncertainty of his illness, Christopher lives his life determined to accomplish the things he needs to get done despite any obstacles he may have to overcome.
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