Tess Clark
Age 10
The Children’s Hospital
Genetic Disorder
Tess Clark was born with a genetic disorder so rare and complex that it was named after her. This sweet 10-year-old girl made her first appearance at The Children’s Hospital at just five days old; 37 surgeries would follow.
Tess was born with dangerous pressure around her brain. Doctors removed portions of her skull to make room for her brain to grow, but the most remarkable procedure Tess received was a new technique that moved her facial bones forward just one inch. A titanium frame was attached to her face with pins inserted into her facial bones. Her parents had to turn the screws each day to move her face forward.
“She likes to be the caretaker,” says Tess’s mom, Heather. Tess has a collection of dolls and each has their own medical condition ranging from Down Syndrome to cerebral palsy. “She doesn’t always have to be on the receiving end, she can be on the giving end. It takes her out of the position of being the one in need.”
Heather says her daughter’s approach to life has transformed the difficult years into a “wild ride” that has encouraged the whole family to feel blessed—particularly Tess, who titled her second-grade autobiography, “I Have the Best Life.”
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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