US Weekly Stars!

In a recent US Weekly post, Emily and Sara were seen hanging out with Nastia Luikin - USA Gold Medalist- as visitors to the MIX Cares for Kids Radio-a-thon. Nastia stopped by the hospital raising awareness for Children's Hospital of Boston as well as bringing smiles to the children being treated at the hospital. It was a great day for the girls and the hospital.

HAIRraising for Children's Hospital Boston

HAIRraising for Children's Hospital Boston

The girls are very excited about the journey ahead of them this year! We are very thankful and grateful for all the work Children's Hospital of Boston has done for us as well as the Children's Miracle Network. Sara and Emily have been involved with many fundraisers and one of the events -HAIRraising for Children's Hospital Boston - will be taking place later this spring. The girls were involved in the photo shoot for the event a few months ago and this link will allow you to check out the girls as well as the other children involved. It is a great event and we hope it will be a success!

Umi Salon Fundraiser Photo Shoot

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Sara and Emily's Story

Sara and Emily
Age 4
Premature Birth

Children's Hospital Boston

The list of complications 4-year-old twins Sara and Emily suffered at birth is long and difficult to pronounce: patent ductus arteriosus, bradycardia, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhages and many more. The girls were born three months early and together weighed less than five pounds. From one minute to the next, no one knew if they would survive. Sara, with underdeveloped lungs, struggled to breathe. Emily suffered two brain hemorrhages. Doctors feared Emily would never walk or talk, if she even survived.

Specialists at Children's Hospital Boston watched them both around the clock. They alleviated the swelling in Emily's brain and placed Sara on a special device that kept her fragile airways from collapsing. Countless other crucial but daunting treatments continued. The amount of IVs connected to their tiny bodies was astounding. But despite their size, they possessed amazing strength. After nearly three months in the NICU, the girls went home for the first time.

Their parents say the girls' personalities have become clear as they aged. Emily is a vocal, easygoing leader who is lovingly known as the "mayor" of her pre-school. Sara is a strong, sweet child who makes sure others are happy and taken care of, just the way the hospital took care of them.

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 $500 million for children’s hospitals during the 23 year relationship. This is the second year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions program.

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club

Champions 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 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 2010 champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, heart transplants and traumas, as well as life-threatening staph infections.

As part of Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, the champions travel for a week in June 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 family then travels to Orlando, Fla., for a second week in November. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsor, 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.