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| FRONTPAGE BEADED JOURNEY CHAMPION CONTACT E-MAIL |
ALBERTA CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
2006 CHAMPION CHILD: MORGAN LEBLANC
PASSING THE BEAR EARSOn Friday, March 3, Alanna had the opportunity to speak at a Press Luncheon introducing the 2006 Champion Child for the Alberta Children's Hospital. This was Alanna's opportunity to tell everyone about her amazing year and a half ... as well as say goodbye to her friends at the Foundation. I must say, though, that it didn't feel like much of a goodbye...as I have a feeling Alanna will be connected to these wonderful people and the work they do for years to come. We are so grateful for this incredible opportunity Alanna has been given to represent the hospital. She's met some beautiful people and had some experiences that will never be forgotten. As Kelly and I have said on so many occasions, this year has given Alanna and our family the opportunity to redeem her year of suffering and give it some purpose. What a blessing! The new Champion Child is a spunky little girl named Morgan. She is six years old and has already endured 15 heart surgeries. A walking ... no running ... miracle! Nothing gets in her way and she has a smile that will melt your heart. Her parents, Angie & Mike, are beautiful people and they, too, feel so strongly about the care and expertise available at the Alberta Children's Hospital. They will be fantastic ambassadors for the hospital this year and we wish them all the best. In closing, here is what Alanna had to say at the luncheon:
Being the Alberta Children’s Hospital Champion Child has been an incredible experience, to say the least. I’d like to tell you all about it, but it’s hard to know where to start. I guess the beginning is as good a place as any … It began in the summer of 2004 when these two smiley women came to my house to hear my story. It was kind of silly. We were talking about what it was like for me to have cancer, yet we laughed a lot. I was really excited a few days later when Mom asked if I’d be interested in hanging out with Billie and Justine a lot over the next year. They wanted to call me “THE CHAMPION CHILD”. How cool was that? Of course I was interested. The first time I had to give my speech was at the Donor Appreciation Reception at the Palliser. I think my parents were more nervous than I was. It was that night that I realized my story would be helpful to the hospital and I was glad to be able to tell so many people about my amazing doctors and nurses. Over the course of this last year and a half, I’ve had so many different opportunities to tell people about our wonderful children’s hospital. I’ve spoken to people who sell everything from houses to yellow page ads, candles to chemical transportation services. I’ve made DQ Blizzards for breakfast and I’ve ridden on Harley Davidsons. I’ve been the guest host for the morning on The Big Breakfast with my pal, Dave Kelly and I’ve told my story on Radiothon with Roger and Kelsey of Country 105.One of the most unbelievable things I did was have lunch with the Queen and 550 of her closest friends here in Calgary last spring. Talk about a once in a lifetime experience?! I’m not sure I’ll ever have a dessert that fancy again. But, by far, I’d have to say my greatest Champion Child experience was my trip to Ottawa and Orlando last March with the Children’s Miracle Network. It was so cool to meet other Champion Children from across Canada and the U.S. Can you believe that we were able to go on the floor of the House of Commons to meet Prime Minister Paul Martin?! He even pulled my little sister’s pigtails. My dad said something about him being a real trouble maker…guess that’s why he’s not the Prime Minister any more! In Orlando, we were able to go to Disney World and we stayed at this really amazing resort with a huge pool. The Awards presentation night was very special. I felt so proud to walk across the big stage and get a medal in front of all those people. It made me realize that I really was a Champion for fighting cancer and winning. When we were on our trip, we made some very good friends with other Champion families and I’m sure we will be friends forever. It was an incredible experience. I can’t thank the Children’s Miracle Network enough for the work they do for us kids.
As I say goodbye to all my friends at the Foundation, I want you to know that when I was sick, my mom and dad found a verse in the Bible that helped us all get through my year of treatment. It said, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Well, from where I stand now, it looks like being the Champion Child was part of that “hope and future” that God promised me. Thank you for helping me and my family take my experience with cancer and use it all for good. I feel very proud that I was able to help out the hospital this past year and I look forward to keeping in touch with all of you in the years to come. So, fasten your seatbelt, Morgan. You’re in for an amazing ride! I wish you and your family continued health and all the best in the year ahead. Thank you.
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