Matthew's Story

Matthew McMillen
Age 8
Children’s Hospital and VCU Children’s Medical Center
Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Heart Defect

From the minute he was born, life has handed 8-year-old Matthew McMillen one challenge after another. Shortly after birth doctors knew something was terribly wrong with his heart. He was born with a heart defect known as heart obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return, or TAPVR. Only in the world for nine hours, Matthew underwent open heart surgery.

As time progressed, Matthew’s family questioned whether his birth was the end of his health troubles. He showed signs of sensory disorders and developmental delay, and it was determined that Matthew had autism and a mild case of cerebral palsy. But “when doctors and therapists have painted gloomy pictures,” said grandma Karen, “he rallied to prove them all wrong.”

Matthew knows his treatments will make him stronger and works hard each day. He’s grown to be quite a thinker: “His little mind is always at work,” said Karen, “from writing stories to making up commercials to doing research on clover that a rabbit was eating in his yard.” He also has a passion for the Randolph-Macon College Dance Marathon - a Children's Miracle Network fundraising program - and has attended every year since birth. The marathoners celebrate Matthew’s birthday at the event and he wouldn’t miss it for anything.

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.