Monday, March 15, 2010

Jayden's Story

Jayden
Age 6
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

Virginia Baptist Hospital

What started out as a typical day in the life of Ryan and Beth, ended in joy clouded by heartbreak. Their son Jayden was born six weeks early and it was immediately clear that his little body was struggling. Jayden was born with persistent pulmonary hypertension, which means his circulation changed back to the circulation of a fetus, where much of the blood flow bypassed his lungs. Simply put, Jayden couldn’t get oxygen to his tiny lungs.

A host of medical experts at Virginia Baptist Hospital began caring for Jayden, but they determined his best chance for survival was a new treatment—inhaled nitric oxide. The chemical helped Jayden’s lungs dilate, allowing blood to flow more naturally. Jayden was the first to receive this treatment at the hospital. After 7 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, Jayden finally took his first unassisted breath—a real miracle. He spent another 13 days in the NICU getting stronger.

Jayden is now a happy-go-lucky, fun-loving 6-year-old. Though he was too young to remember his life-threatening experience, Jayden’s mom thinks he innately knows how precious his life is and he never wastes a single moment.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

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.