Pittsburgh Announces 2023 CMN Local Patient Champion!

Each year, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is lucky to welcome one patient as the Patient Champion in the Pittsburgh Market for Children’s Miracle Network. On Friday, April 21st, members of UPMC Children’s Hosptial Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners, dance marathon students, Extra Life gamers, and patient family members “crowned” Nora as the 2023 Champion and kickstarted her yearlong “reign”. With her mother, Jenelle, father, Matt, and big sister Addie, Nora spent the afternoon celebrating. As the Patient Champion for this area, Nora and her family will attend special events and fundraisers where donors will hear about her journey and experiences at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Nora received her Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia diagnosis in 2018 prior to her second birthday. After countless spinal taps, chemotherapy treatments, emergency room visits, hospital stays, and home nursing sessions, Nora finished her last treatment in December of 2020. Now a spunky and sweet six-year-old begins this yearlong role in remission!

The event began with a large welcome party for Nora as she entered the Pittsburgh Airport Marriot, who along with Marriott Cranberry North and Courtyard Cranberry, graciously hosted the event. Then, a brief presentation began to recognize the amazing work and accomplishments by CMN partners throughout the past year. Thank you to our dedicated corporate partners and their members as well as dance marathons and their students who attended the launch. Representatives from the Butler Ace Hardware and several members from local Walmart’s, Sam’s Clubs, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Costco, and Marriott Hotels helped celebrate Nora. Our partners at Schell Games even set up an Extra Life virtual reality game for guests to enjoy.

It seems like just yesterday we celebrated the 2022 Champion, Brady, who, along with his family, also attended Friday’s event. He and Nora stood on the stage together to pass the torch as he ended his year as Champion and welcomed Nora to fill his shoes. The event finished with a mac and cheese AND milkshake bar, no better way to launch Nora’s 2023 Patient Champion year!

We are excited to welcome Nora and her family and thank everyone in attendance at their launch as we continue to Change Kids Health. Change the Future.