Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Mateo's Story

Mateo
Age 3
Sacred Heart Medical Center
Colon Disease

Mateo is a happy child with a sense of adventure. He loves cars and would probably drive more than just a bike if it weren’t for his age. His fun personality has helped him endure through two very serious illnesses: Hirschsprungs disease and short bowel syndrome.

Mateo learned to be a fighter from day one. Shortly after birth, he underwent an ileostomy, a surgery to bypass part of his intestines. Shortly after, health complications required the same procedure again. Despite his young age, Mateo has struggled with health issues that many people will never encounter in their entire life.

Mateo’s survival defied all odds. When he was diagnosed with this disease, he had a 30 percent chance to live. Yet, he has exceeded expectations. Many call Mateo a hero for his courage and see him as a symbol of perseverance and hope.

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.