(6/02/11) – McLeod Children’s Hospital is one of 170 children’s hospitals in North America that comprise the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by raising funds and awareness for its members. Each year, these non-profit hospitals treat more than 17 million children afflicted with disease, injuries and birth defects of every kind by providing the finest in medical care, life-saving research and preventative education.

At McLeod in 2010, more than 22,700 children received much needed care from McLeod Children’s Hospital either as an inpatient, outpatient or rehabilitation patient.

This year marks the 24th annual McLeod Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Broadcast, which celebrates the successes attained at McLeod Children’s Hospital. These victories are made possible by families who give love and hope, McLeod physicians, nurses and ancillary staff who provide excellent care and treatment, and donors at every level who make charity care and vital equipment purchases possible.

WBTW News 13 will broadcast live from the McLeod Children’s Hospital Child Life Activity Center on Saturday, June 4, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The broadcast serves to recognize the support of local groups and organizations as well as 75 national corporate sponsors who work year round for the children served at McLeod Children’s Hospital. One hundred percent of the money raised during the broadcast also remains at the McLeod Children’s Hospital to treat children in this region.

Four outstanding McLeod Miracle Children have also been selected to represent the amazing spirit that is so evident in the children who overcome physical and emotional challenges — at times greater than many adults ever face. The miracle children include:

Two-year-old twin girls Sophia and Isabella Topalian of Florence. While nearly 150,000 sets of twins are born each year, less than one percent of them are monoamniotic twins, like the Topalian girls. Monoamniotic twins, also called ‘MoMo’ or ‘mono mono’ twins, share one amniotic sack. This situation places the babies at high risk for their umbilical cords to become entangled which could result in cord compression and possible fetal demise. Sophia and Isabella’s mother, Kim Topalian, spent 53 days in the Antepartum Unit at McLeod so that physicians could monitor her pregnancy. Born at just 32 weeks, the twins spent almost two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) under the supervision of McLeod Neonatologists, including Dr. Steve Bridges.

Five-year-old Ainsley Jordan of Myrtle Beach. Less than one year ago during a routine doctor’s visit, Ainsley’s elevated blood sugar levels resulted in her pediatrician immediately sending Ainsley and her family to the McLeod Children’s Hospital for hospitalization. Ainsley was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes by Pediatric Endocrinologist Dr. Pamela Clark of McLeod Pediatric Subspecialists. Dr. Clark instantly developed a relationship with Ainsley and her parents, Christina and Steve Jordan, to help the entire family cope with this condition Ainsley will have for the rest of her life. Today, Ainsley and her parents are able to manage her disease on a daily basis through blood sugar checks, insulin shots, and a balanced diet.

Ten-year-old Triston "Kane" Davis of Cheraw. On a Monday morning back in February, Kane woke up covered in a rash of blisters from head to toe similar to third degree burns. His pediatrician diagnosed him with Stephen-Johnsons syndrome, likely the result of an allergic reaction he was experiencing to a sulfa antibiotic he had been prescribed four days earlier for an infection. Kane’s doctor instructed his mother, Mandy, to take Kane to the McLeod Children’s Hospital immediately. Upon admission, a team of physicians including Dr. Ramesh Bharadwaj, Dr. Judith Ugale, Dr. Carl Chelen and Dr. Isam Zakhour confirmed Kane’s diagnosis. He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where he spent the next few weeks receiving more acute care to decrease the duration of his severe, painful symptoms.

These children represent so many other young people and families who are treated at the McLeod Children’s Hospital every year. Each child and their family needed the special care and comfort found only in a hospital just for them. Thanks to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, McLeod Children’s Hospital, and the generous support of the community and McLeod Health employees, these youngsters have beat the odds.

To date, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised $4.3 billion for children’s hospitals around the country. But the need is still great. In just one year, CMNH hospitals provide charity care worth billions. They pride themselves on treating the whole child, helping the family and providing care regardless of the family’s ability to pay. They are also on the front lines of preventing disease and injury through research, education, and outreach programs that keep millions of children out of the hospital each year.

On June 4, join the celebration and be a champion for children by watching WBTW News 13 and calling in your pledge to support the care of infants and children in this region of South Carolina at the McLeod Children’s Hospital.

Donations to McLeod Children’s Hospital can be made during the CMNH Celebration Broadcast on WBTW News 13 by calling 777-GIVE (4483) or toll free at 1-866-668-4862 or by visiting the McLeod Foundation website at www.mcleodfoundation.org and clicking on the CMNH icon for an online submission.