Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: Children's Miracle Network Champions Presented by Walmart to be Honoured in Toronto

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 2, 2013) - On Monday, October 7, 12 Champions representing each of the Children's Miracle Network member hospitals across Canada will be honoured with a surprise performance by Juno Award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter Nikki Yanofsky at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Yanofsky's special performance and meet-and-greet session will pay tribute to these 12 paediatric patients for their bravery in battling and overcoming life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

Children's Miracle Network's Champions presented by Walmart program celebrates the lifesaving work done annually at children's hospitals across the country. Each year 12 patients are selected to represent the hospital at which they were treated and the millions of children who visit Canadian paediatric hospitals annually.

As ambassadors of Children's Miracle Network's member hospitals, the Champions will come together to show their collective courage and tenacity. The Champion children will be travelling to Toronto with their families, including siblings, all made possible through Walmart Canada's generous sponsorship of the Champions program.

The Canadian Champions will visit Toronto en route to Orlando, Florida, where they will meet children's hospital representatives, corporate partners and other Champions representing 50 children's hospitals from across the United States. This is the first time the Canadian Champions will be meeting in Toronto.

"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 19-year partnership with Children's Miracle Network and it's an honour to be presenting sponsor of the 2013 Champions program," says Shelley Broader, president and CEO, Walmart Canada. "The Champions' touching stories of courage and inspiration demonstrate that miracles really do happen - every day, at children's hospitals across Canada."

Since 1994, Walmart Canada and its associates have donated and raised more than $80 million for Canadian children's hospitals through their partnership with Children's Miracle Network.

"We are very appreciative for Walmart's long-standing support of the Champions program," says Paul Lethbridge, Senior Director, Children's Miracle Network. "Through it, we are able to put a face on the amazing care that Canadian children have access to thanks to generous donors like Walmart."

One of Toronto's landmarks, the CN Tower, will also pay homage to the Champions during their visit by displaying red and yellow lights, Children's Miracle Network's colours, on the eve of their departure Monday night.

The 2013 Children's Miracle Network Champions are:

• Grace Teboekhorst, 8, British Columbia - nephrotic syndrome
• Cody Trembecki, 11, Calgary - premature birth, tracheostomy surgery
• Cheyanne Mattern, 6, Edmonton - pulmonary hypertension
• Sam Loslo, 16, Hamilton - acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Elijah Khan, 6, London - acquired brain injury
• Ryan Veldkamp, 16, Manitoba - t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Rebekah Winsor, 6, Newfoundland and Labrador - brain bleed
• Tyler Preston, 16, Ottawa - meningococcal meningitis
• David Cloutier, 12, Quebec - Burkitt's lymphoma
• Amish Hockridge, 9, Saskatchewan - microtia and craniofacial microsomia
• Reid Mayich, 3, The Maritimes - mastocytosis
• Asaiah Edwards, 10, Toronto - sickle cell anemia

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

About Children's Miracle Network

Children's Miracle Network® Canada raises funds for children's hospitals 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.