Miracle Treat Day at Diary Queen - August 2010

We attended Miracle Treat Day at our local Diary Queen to help raise funds for our Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Evan met Madison Tabet, Miss New Mexico 2010, at the event and he just loved her! The radio station came out too so the kids got to see Donnie, their favorite radio host. Evan and his sister, Moira, had a great time - they helped out by serving the customers and cleaning tables! It was a great day and they raised a lot of money for the hospital!

Champions Across America DC Trip - Day 5

Today we head home - we're sad to go but I guess we have to return home! We had a truly wonderful time and we meet some really awesome families from New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Missouri, Maine and DC just to name a few. Our kids have made some wonderful friends. These children and their families are truly inspiring and their spirits are amazing. The folks we met from the Children's Miracle Network were some of the nicest people we have ever met and the work they do for all of us is just amazing. It was such a pleasure to meet everyone. We would like to thank Delta and our flight crews. Delta provides all the flights for the Champions Program which is great. We would also like to thank Walmart / Sam's Club - without them and their fundrising efforts, this program would not be possible. We want to give a final thank you to the Children's Miracle Network who made this all possible for us. Their efforts and support of all the Children's Hospitals across the country are greatly appreciated. We have been receiving medical treatment at a Children's Miracle Network for over 7 years now and they have provided us with excellent treatment and support. We can't thank all of these wonderful supporters for all they have done and continue to do for us and the 17 million other children they treat every year.

Champions Across America DC Trip - Day 4

Today was the big day - we went to the White House to meet the President! We walked over to the White House together was one big group. Once we made it through security, we walked into the White House. Once in the hallway, we were met by David Archuleta from American Idol Fame - my kids were so excited to meet him. They could name every kid show he's been on! He was so very sweet and he greeted every family that came through. We were able to tour the library and sitting room - we even got to used the President's elevator. Once we made our way upstairs, we toured the State Dining Room, State Ballroom, Red Room, Blue Room, Green Room and the entry Hallway - it was amazing! After we toured the White House, the Champion kids lined up on bleachers to meet the President. They had to wait a little while to see the President so David sang "Lean on Me" to the kids. We had an actual sing-a-long in the White House! The President was awesome! He let the kids ask him questions and then he sat among them for a group photo. Evan sat next to him in the group photo! He shook hands with the kids and then shook hands with the families standing by. It was so awesome that he would take time out of his day running the country to meet with these Champion Kids! After our visit to the White House, we went to the Nationals Baseball Game for our farewell party. Walmart's employees were there again and they made a tunnel for the kids to run through as they announced them. It was awesome and the kids loved it! Each kid received an award from the Children's Miracle Network. Walmart's executives made an awesome speech and a Disney executive told us about the annual Children's Miracle Network Golf Tournament and our trip there scheduled for November! Disney even brought Mickey Mouse to meet the kids! David Archuleta sang the National Anthem and Zach, Champion from Idaho, got to pitch the first ball of the game and the Nationals won the game! It was a truly awesome, unforgettable day!

Champions Across America DC Trip - Day 3

Today the Champion Kids had their photos taken in front of the Capital - It was great! After the photos at the Capital, we had a luncheon at the Capital with our Senators. Senator Udall from New Mexico was presiding over the Senate so he couldn't make it to the luncheon but I guess he had a good excuse! His staff did come down and meet with us and gave Evan a personal note from the Senator which was very cool. We had lunch with Frankie, Champion from New York, and his family. They were really nice. Evan was asked to give an interview for our local News Station which aired later that night - he was very excited about that! He was also excited to find out that the microphones in the Senate Hearing Room where we had lunch were live. He turned one on and started to talk to the very full room - thank goodness security didn't come for us! After lunch we had some free time so we went back the finish the Natural History Museum and visited the National Archives. We saw the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We also took a walk through the Sculpture Garden across the street from the Archives. We had dinner with my Aunt who lives in DC and then took the kids back to the ESPN Zone to play games. Another great day!

Champion Across America DC Trip - Day 2

This morning we attended a Welcome Breakfast at the ESPN Zone and it was awesome! This was the first time we got to meet the other Champion Kids and their families. We were greeted by cheering Walmart employees as we entered the ESPN Zone. Evan "hi-fived" them all on his way in! Miss America had breakfast at the table next to us - she took pictures with all the kids and sang "The Colors of the Wind" for everyone. Mark Wills, Country Singer, also came and sang to the kids. Walmart's executives also came and spoke about their current campaign to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. Walmart has raised over $15 million with their current campaign in just 6 weeks! After the presentations, the kids played video games. Moira, Evan's sister, played ice hockey with Miss America - Moira won and she was so excited! After the ESPN Zone party, we went on a bus tour of DC with the other families. We went to the Lincoln, Jefferson and Vietnam Monuments. After the bus tour, we went to the Air and Space; Natural History and American History Museums. We had a great day!

Champions Across America DC Trip - Day 1

We departed for our Champions Across America DC Trip on June 6th from Albuquerque on Delta. The flights into DC were great. When we arrived at BWI airport, the flight crew welcomed Evan as the Champion Child on the plane and everyone on the plane clapped for him. Once we exited the gate, all the people in the gate area also clapped and cheered for Evan. It was so great and touching. Evan was so excited! We stayed at the JW Marriott in downtown DC and it was absolutely beautiful! We would like to thank Delta for the wonderful flights and the JW Marriott for the wonderful accommodations!

Rod Replacement Surgery - April 2010

For May is Miracles Month, I wanted to share our most recent miracle. I know an X-ray might be something weird to share but we wanted you to see how awesome our hospital is and this is a great example. Evan broke his right leg about three weeks ago while we were on a family outting. The rod that was already in place was bent and was needing to be replaced. I know you're thinking, "they can bend?" and yes, they can. The rod that was already in place was about the size of your car antenna and it has a huge job to do.

These are Fassier-Duval rods and they telescopic. These rods are designed to grow with you and their job is to keep the bone from separating if and when it breaks. Evan can tell you that they do a great job. He has one in each leg that were put in Christmas time two years ago. He had the left replaced in December 2009 and the right in April.

We've been with our surgeon, Dr. Bosch, for 6 years and he does an awesome job as you can see! The care Evan receives at UNM's Children's Hospital from the doctors and staff is outstanding. They really help to make a difficult situation easier. This hospital and their staff have been really wonderful to us. We are so thankful to the Children's Miracle Network for all they do for our hospital.

Radiothon for UNM's Children's Hospital - March 2010

Our favorite radio morning show, The Jackie, Tony and Donnie Morning Show, on 100.3 The Peak, does an Annual 3 Day Radiothon for the Children's Miracle Network for UNM's Children's Hospital. Every year we go down to the hospital to make our donation for the radiothon - the kids like to see Jackie, Tony and Donnie. While we were there last year, Evan was asked to tell his story and talk about the hospital on air.

Evan was asked to come back and speak on the air about the hospital again this year and help raise money. Our local Stars Wars Troop came down and Evan was thrilled! He is a huge Stars Wars fan - he actually screamed like a little girl when he saw them! Evan had a great time talking about the hospital and asking people to call in with their donations. He even teased Donnie a little on air about the time Donnie broke his wrist! The Radiothon raised $288,000 for the hospital this year.

Festival of Trees December 2009

Evan was very excited to be asked to come and cut the ribbon at the opening of the 2009 Annual Festival of Trees Event for Carrie Tingley Hospital. The Festival of Trees is a fundrising event where local businesses decorate Christmas Trees that are then auctioned off for the hospital. Carrie Tingley Hospital is part of UNM's Children's Hospital where Evan receives his weekly physical therapy. He and his sister Moira had a wonderful time and were interviewed for our local news - they were a big hit and helped raise a lot of money for our hospital.

Silver Star Gala June 2009

We were invited to attend and speak at the Silver Star Gala sponsored by the New Mexico Credit Unions Association. Over the course of five years, they raised $1 million dollars to build a separate Pediatric Emergency Unit in UNM Hospital. They built a really awesome unit for the kids. We spend a lot of time at this ER so this was a great opportunity to say "Thank You" and let them know how awesome their gift was. We had a great time and Evan danced all night long even though he was in a leg cast!

Evan's Story

Evan
Age 8
Brittle Bone Disease

UNM Children’s Hospital

Evan’s bones may break easily, but his positive outlook and attitude does not.
After his first break at age 1, Evan was diagnosed with a rare disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease. This rare disorder affects the connective tissue and causes bones to break easily without any apparent reason.

Evan has undergone two surgeries at UNM Children’s Hospital to help with his condition. And although he averages six to seven breaks per year, he participates in physical activity, even if it may cause a break. Evan doesn’t let anything stop him.
This 8-year-old is very popular at school and is always pleasant and friendly. He enjoys playing the lead in school plays and wants to be a police officer when he grows up. Nothing will stand in the way of Evan, not even a few broken bones.

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.

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.