Walmart Canada and Children's Miracle Network celebrate 12 children as "Champions"

Walmart fundraising for Children's Miracle Network hits total of $100 million

TORONTO, Sept. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada and Children's Miracle Network this morning proudly announced the 2016 Children's Miracle Network Champions.  These extraordinary children will work with their local hospital foundations to help raise awareness about the battles so many Canadian children are waging against critical illnesses and how Canadians can support them. Throughout 2016, these amazing kids will serve as the faces of the 4,900 children treated at Children's Miracle Network hospitals each and every day.

Through this 21-year partnership, donations from Walmart Canada, its associates, customers and suppliers this year surpassed the incredible milestone of $100 million in support of children's hospitals across Canada.

In recognition of these Champions, who have demonstrated incredible strength and determination in their battles with severe illnesses and are helping to rally support for their local Children's Miracle Network hospital, Walmart is proud to be a lead sponsor of Champions across Canada.  Champion families will meet in Toronto before going to Disney World in Orlando, Florida to meet up with Champions from across the U.S.

The Champions were announced this morning in conjunction with a celebration for Sarah Stephens, a 14-year-old from Stoney Creek, Ontario who has shown tremendous spirit in fighting pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia with which she was diagnosed one week after her 12th birthday. Though her cancer went into remission within 30 days, she required a feeding tube and two injections daily for eight months. Now on maintenance chemotherapy, Sarah is confident she will beat the disease and continue to engage in the activities she loves, like soccer, track and field and dance, and she is already setting her sights on high school graduation.

"The strength, perseverance and positive spirit Sarah has demonstrated throughout her battle with leukemia exemplifies the universal qualities of all Children's Miracle Network Champions and we are extremely proud to support CMN as it works to provide the resources so crucial to helping these children," said Erin Mackey, Manager, Community Giving, Walmart Canada.

Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children at 170 hospitals across North America, 14 of which are in Canada. Funds raised by Walmart Canada support 12 hospital foundations across Canada that work to provide medical care, life-saving research and prevention education that directly impact the quality and level of care received by the children being treated at these local children's hospitals every day.

"These amazing Champions are an inspiration to tens of thousands of children and families across Canada who enter into our network's hospitals each year with unwavering determination to overcome adversity," said John Lauck, president and CEO, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "These children thrive on the spirit and optimism of our Champions. We are so proud of their accomplishments and inspired by their willingness to share their stories and their commitment to raising awareness and funds to help children just like them."

The 2016 Children's Miracle Network Champions are:

• Anisa Ashe - The Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto, ON
• Laura Biesheuvel - Children's Hospital Foundation Of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
• Aidan Chin - BC Children's Hospital Foundation, Vancouver, BC
• Payton Langenau – Alberta's Children's Hospital Foundation, Calgary, AB
• Mckenna Lumley - Children's Health Foundation, London, ON
• Laura Rea - Opération Enfant Soleil – Quebec, QC
• Derek Schenk - Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, Edmonton, AB
• Sarah Stephens - McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation, Hamilton, ON
• Matthew Verge - Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation, St. John's, NL
• Cohyn Wells - Children's Hospital Foundation Of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
• To be announced - Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON
• To be announced - IWK Health Centre Foundation, Halifax, NS

About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 395 stores nationwide serving more than 1.2 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, is visited by 450,000 customers daily. With more than 90,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada's extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart has raised and donated more than $230 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/walmartcanada.

About the Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. These hospitals, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given, it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Established in 1983, Children's Miracle Network raises funds to support critical research, education, purchase life-saving equipment, and ensure excellence in care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at ChildrensMiracleNetwork.ca.

Twitter: @CMNCanada 
Facebook: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

SOURCE Walmart Canada

Jessica Kitchen, Edelman, [email protected], [phone]; Tracie Napoli, Director, Corporate Partnerships, Children's Miracle Network, [email protected], [phone] ext. 225