Toronto honours 2014 Children's Miracle Network Champions Presented by Walmart

Ben Mulroney from CTV's ETALK and Adam van Koeverden, Olympic kayaker paid tribute to 12 pediatric patients

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, 12 Children's Miracle Network Champions were honoured for their bravery in battling life-threatening illnesses and injuries with a visit from Ben Mulroney from CTV's ETALK and Adam van Koeverden, Olympic kayaker at the Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto.

Children's Miracle Network's Champions presented by Walmart celebrates the lifesaving work at children's hospitals across the country. The 12 Canadian Champions selected as ambassadors for each of the member hospitals across Canada visited Toronto en route to Orlando, Florida. In Florida, the children will meet Champions representing more than 50 children's hospitals from across the United States.

"At Walmart, we've always been committed to the communities we serve and focused on helping Canadian families in need. We're incredibly proud of our 20-year partnership with Children's Miracle Network," said Dirk Van den Berghe, President and CEO, Walmart Canada. "The Champions' touching stories of courage and inspiration demonstrate the incredible impact children's hospitals across Canada have every day."

Since 1994, Walmart Canada and its associates have donated and raised more than $90 million to Children's Miracle Network. "We are very appreciative for Walmart Canada's long-standing support of the Champions program," said John Hartman, Chief Operating Officer, Children's Miracle Network, Canada. "Their generosity provides important funding needed to enhance care at Canadian children's hospitals."

The 2014 Children's Miracle Network Champions are:

• Hans Gabriel Rana, 6, BC Children's Hospital Foundation, Congenital Heart Defect
• Violet McDonald, 4, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, Cataract, Detached Retina and Hearing loss
• Ben Woodlock, 6, Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, Kidney Disease
• Aidan Bohle, 12, Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan , Cholesteatoma
• Aiden Anderson, 9, Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Kartagener Syndrome and Situs Inversus with Dextrocardia
• Andie Morrison, 7, Children's Health Foundation, Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
• Jessica Wilson, 15, McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation, Stricture in Esophagus
• Jordan Jeyananthan, 10, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Stroke from an Intracranial Hemorrhage due to an Arteriovenous Malformation
• Annie Underhill, 16, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia; Eosinophilic Fasciitis
• Eloïse Beaupré, 15, Opération Enfant Soleil, Humoral Immune Deficiency, Arthritis and Celiac Disease
• Frédérique Ouellette, 12, MK Health Centre Foundation, Neurofibromatosis
• Brooke Gidge, 9, Janeway Children's Hospital, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

For complete patient profiles please visit: http://childrensmiraclenetwork.ca/About/Champions

About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada.  Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and research. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are, at http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.ca and http://www.facebook.com/CMNHospitals.

About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 391 locations nationwide serving more than one million customers each day, as well as its flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, which is visited by over 400,000 Canadians daily. With 90,000 associates, Walmart is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of Canada's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada is focused on supporting families in need. Since 1994, the company has donated and raised more than $200 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations.  Additional company information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/@walmartcanada.

Image with caption: "Ben Mulroney from CTV’s ETALK and Adam van Koeverden, Olympic kayaker paid tribute to 12 Children’s Miracle Network Champions at the Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto (CNW Group/Children's Miracle Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141110_C8456_PHOTO_EN_7786.jpg

SOURCE: Children's Miracle Network

Hilary Lawton, APEX Public Relations, [email protected], 416.934.2123