Kace Lightsey
Age 13
Children’s Hospital of Alabama
Brain Injury & Epilepsy
For two years and up to 40 times a day, an electrical storm would erupt in the brain of 7-year-old Kace Lightsey. Severe epilepsy—triggered by a brain injury and stroke suffered when he was five—was robbing Kace of his childhood. The lively, happy little boy from Woodstock, Ala., couldn’t be left alone for even a moment because a debilitating seizure could strike, leaving him powerless.
Hope for a childhood free of seizures came from Children’s Hospital of Alabama. A neurologist there believed that Kace was a candidate for epilepsy surgery. “I just kept telling myself, ‘I’m going to get better. I’m going to get better,’” said Kace. “So when I heard about the surgery, I said, ‘I’m ready if it is going to help get me back where I can play with my friends.’” Kace was ready for his childhood back.
The delicate surgery removed almost the entire right side of Kace’s brain and proved remarkably successful. He came out of surgery sitting upright and asking for a chocolate milkshake—a typical 7-year-old had returned. Today 13-year-old Kace is seizure free and is enjoying every moment of his teenage years.
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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