Children’s Miracle Network “Champion” for Arizona
Posted on 25. May, 2010 by trish in Features, family focus
WHAT: Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club are the presenting national sponsors of the Children’s Miracle Network Champions program, a program that honors remarkable children from the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges. For their courage and perseverance, Champions have been selected as international ambassadors of healthcare for the 17 million kids treated each year at Children’s Miracle Network children’s hospitals – including Phoenix Children’s.
Every year, a child is nominated from each state to be a Champion and travel to Washington D.C. and Disney World in Orlando, Florida. This Thursday, Wal-mart will host a send-off event to recognize Arizona’s new Champion.
WHO: Josh Gass, a Peoria resident, will be named the Champion for Arizona and be recognized at a local Wal-Mart store, where he will be surprised with a $500 gift card.
Josh was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia right before his seventh birthday. His treatment included 40 months of chemotherapy at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Josh faced a hard battle, but he recovered with the help of his faith, family and his golden doodle, Otis. Now age 10, Josh inspires others about his journey with cancer and is an advocate for childhood cancer research. A fundraising team started by his family called “Joshua and Friends” has raised nearly $100,000 in just two years for leukemia research.
WHEN: Thursday, May 27, 2:00 pm
WHERE: Wal-Mart, 8200 W Peoria, Peoria AZ, 85345. Store Manager: Michael Wells, 623-878-9907
For more information, contact Teri Lane, Children’s Miracle Network, at 602-546-5076.
About Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital is Arizona’s only licensed children’s hospital, providing world-class care in more than 40 pediatric specialties to our state’s sickest kids. Though Phoenix Children’s is one of the ten largest freestanding children’s hospitals in the country, rapid population growth in Arizona means the Hospital must grow as well. Phoenix Children’s recently announced a $588 million expansion plan to bring its special brand of family-centered care to even more patients and families. The plan includes a significant upgrade of the Hospital’s current campus, an aggressive physician recruitment effort, and new satellite centers in high growth areas of the Valley. For more information, visit the Hospital’s Web site at www.phoenixchildrens.com.
About Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Miracle Network has grown dramatically since its founding in 1983 from a televised fundraiser in a small studio to one of the world’s leading children’s charities. Children’s Miracle Network was founded with two simple goals – help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals and keep funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children. The organization was founded by Marie Osmond and her family, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake. Children’s Miracle Network’s most recognizable symbol and greatest fundraising tool is its red and yellow Miracle Balloon icon. As of 2008, Children’s Miracle Network has raised more than $3.4 billion—most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time. For more information, visit www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org
