Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital Announces Local Children’s Miracle Network Champions

Twins, Jonas and Josiah Seabrooks, named local Children’s Miracle Network champions

Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital (BKOCH), a Children's Miracle Network (CMN) hospital, has announced brothers Jonas and Josiah Seabrooks have been named as CMN Champions for central Georgia.

Twin boys Jonas (4lbs. 1oz.) and Josiah (3lbs. 15oz.) were born prematurely, but seemingly healthy and happy in December 2013. On their third day in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at BKOCH, Jonas was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious intestinal disease that occurs when tissue in the intestine is injured or inflamed. As a result, the intestine can no longer hold waste, allowing bacteria to pass into the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.

Jonas underwent surgery to remove a portion of the infected intestine After several months in the Neonatal ICU, both Jonas and Josiah were healthy enough to go home. “The nurses were my angels. I don’t think I could’ve made it without them,” said their mother, Kimberly Seabrooks.

Today, Jonas and Josiah are healthy, active elementary schoolers who enjoy playing soccer.

Each year, CMN hospitals nationwide are invited to submit the story of a child treated in their children’s hospital. The child is nominated locally by doctors, nurses and child life specialists. Once selected, this child is identified as their local CMN Champion and serves as an ambassador for all of the children treated locally. The goal of a CMN Champion is to speak on behalf of their children’s hospital, to encourage local CMN partners in their fundraising campaigns and to promote awareness of the charitable needs that exist in children’s hospitals.

Given the boys’ experience, it was only fitting for both to be named CMN champions for BKOCH.

“Having a child share their experience at Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital is one of the most powerful ways to teach donors about what it’s like being in the children’s hospital. Their story inspires the audience and connects a donor to our mission to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing for all children,” said Renee Bryan, development officer and CMN program coordinator at Navicent Health Foundation.

For more information about how Atrium Health Navicent is caring for children, visit childrenshospitalnh.org.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support and identify your member hospital at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.