Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Bridget's Story

Bridget
Age 6
Johns Hopkins Children's Center
Heart Transplant

A glimpse into Bridget’s life today would likely reveal this little girl twirling from room to room in ballet slippers and sharing tea with her baby dolls.

Two years ago, a window into Bridget’s life would have displayed a 2-year-old girl lying on an operating table for a heart transplant. Doctors believe a random viral infection caused Bridget’s heart to enlarge and suddenly cease pumping efficiently, a disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy. She will take medication eight times a day for the rest of her life to prevent her body from rejecting the new heart.

Bridget loves participating in fundraisers that help other kids at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Not taking her heart for granted, Bridget loves everyone she meets—especially her brother and sister. This energetic little girl is a constant reminder for her family to appreciate each day as it comes.

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.