BJ
Age 10
Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Spina Bifida
BJ is one of the most motivated kids you’ll ever meet. Dubbed “BJ Claus” by his friends and family, BJ makes a difference for the other patients at Riley Hospital for Children by doling out toys at Christmas and smiles throughout the year.
Born with spina bifida, BJ knows the halls of Riley Hospital like the back of his hand. He received his first surgery there less than 24 hours after he was born. Since then, BJ has overcome 15 additional surgeries, including kidney cross-fusing and the amputation of his right leg. BJ describes Riley as his “second home,” and a place where he’s encouraged daily to “never give up hope.”
For the last three years BJ has united teachers, businesses and church groups around Bloomfield, Ind. in a Christmas toy drive. In 2011 he set a new record by collecting 638 toys. With an ear-to-ear smile, BJ is eager to bring joy into other kids’ lives. He has already begun collecting toys for this year’s Christmas drive.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
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.
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.
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