Every summer, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates join forces to support 170 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals nationwide through the “Help Kids Live Better” campaign. This year, 68 Charlotte-area locations participated in the campaign for Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, a member hospital of CMN Hospitals. Thanks to every associate, customer, and member who donated in stores and online, Walmart and Sam’s Club have raised $384,000 (and counting) to enhance pediatric patient care for families in the Charlotte region.
Having first opened its doors in 2007, Levine Children’s Hospital has quickly established itself as a nationally recognized hospital that provides an unmatched level of expert care in more than 30 areas of pediatric medicine. With the support of generous donors and community partners like Walmart and Sam’s Club, Levine Children’s Hospital continues to grow, care, and innovate. Funds raised through the annual “Help Kids Live Better” campaign provide direct support for state-of-the art medical technology, leading-edge treatments, and comprehensive patient resources, enabling Levine Children’s to offer the best care possible for thousands of kids each year, like Sarah, our 2022 Children’s Miracle Network Champion.
Sarah underwent a heart transplant on February 12, 2021 at Levine Children’s Hospital. Now she represents the children’s hospital as the 2022 CMN Champion.
Sarah was adopted from China at the age of 2, when her parents quickly learned she was born with a rare congenital heart defect known as double outlet right ventricle (DORV). Doctors were amazed by how well Sarah’s body was doing, considering she had no previous treatment for her condition prior to adoption. Sarah had her heart catheterization and open-heart surgery in June 2012. Although she was new to the family, did not speak English, and everything around her was completely new, Sarah always kept a smile on her face. She underwent her second open heart surgery in July 2013 and again, had amazing results. Her condition never stopped her from being an active kid. During a follow-up appointment in July 2020, Sarah’s doctors noticed new concerns that led to her third open heart surgery to insert a pacemaker and defibrillator. After some complications, it was clear that a heart transplant would be necessary to save her life, and on February 12, 2021, Sarah received her new heart. Today, 12-year-old Sarah is back to swimming laps around the pool – you would never guess she had a heart transplant just a little over a year ago!
On behalf of Levine Children’s Hospital, Atrium Health Foundation would like to thank each store associate, customer, and member for participating in this year’s campaign and playing a key role in giving kids like Sarah hope for a healthy future. Over the past 35 years, Walmart and Sam’s Club have collectively raised more than $1 billion for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.