Drew
Age 16
University of Iowa Children's Hospital
Bone Cancer
The Wall family’s world changed forever when Drew, their son, developed pain in his knee. Doctors determined the pain to be osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, which also spread to Drew’s lungs. At just 11 years old, Drew made the life-changing decision to have his leg amputated.
Since being diagnosed, Drew has incurred more than 30 rounds of chemotherapy in three years. But multiple surgeries, experimental treatments and the replacement of his leg with a bionic prosthetic limb can’t rid him of his positive attitude. Drew's Christian faith is very important to him, and he considers each day to be a gift from God.
Even in the midst of ongoing treatment, Drew excels as a student leader. He has maintained above a 4.0 GPA and won state mock trial competitions and school golf tournaments. Outside of school activities, Drew even had a legislative bill dealing with insurance policies on prosthetic limbs overturn.
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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