Weston Funk
Age 11
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Leukemia
At 8 years old, Weston Funk suddenly began tiring easily and had a fever that wouldn’t go away. His parents took him to the doctor to have him checked out. Shockingly, Weston was admitted to the ICU at Children’s Mercy Hospital the next day. He had juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a very rare type, and his only hope was a bone marrow transplant. Weston had several rounds of chemotherapy until a donor match was found, and he received the transplant on Thanksgiving Day.
Weston, now 11, uses his experiences to help other children with similar challenges. He once met a young girl at a Radiothon event who was just beginning cancer treatment. Weston sensed this girl was scared and anxious, so he comforted her by sharing his own story of leukemia.
“I’ve been through it and it’s hard, but once you go through it and everything is done it will just be a memory. You just think, 'Wow, it’s over. I can’t believe it’s over,'” Weston said. “Just think positive. There are so many challenges; it’s just another challenge in your life.”
Thankfully, Weston achieved full recovery and cancer is just a memory in the past.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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 $460 million for children’s hospitals during the relationship. This is the first year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions Across America program.
Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam's Club
Champions Across America 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 Across America 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 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.
As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, 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. The group will then travel 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 Champions Across America 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 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.
As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, 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. The group will then travel 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.
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