Childrens Hospital, Navicent Health Patient Taylor Sanders to Serve as Georgia's 2015 Champion Ambassador for Childrens Miracle Network

MACON, GA (Monday, April 27, 2015) - Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital (CHNH) today announced that Taylor Sanders has been named the 2015 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN) Champion Ambassador for the state of Georgia. In the coming year, Taylor and his family will serve as local, state and national spokespeople advocating for the charitable needs of children's hospitals throughout North America.

Taylor, a six-year-old from Albany, Ga., was admitted to CHNH in September 2014 after a vehicle crash. While doing all that they could to save Taylor's life, physicians and clinicians at Atrium Health Navicent realized that Taylor's chances of survival were very slim and did not believe that he would survive. However, Taylor continuously defied science, overcoming multisystem organ failure and becoming known as the "Miracle Child" to Atrium Health Navicent's employees.

"It means so much to us for Taylor to be chosen. We really didn't know anything about Children's Miracle Network until this situation happened. To know that Taylor has this opportunity to represent Georgia and tell others about Children's Miracle Network is a blessing. He is really excited," said Don Sanders, Taylor's father. 

 This June, all state champion ambassadors will travel to Washington, D.C. to share their stories with a national audience. The family will also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World.

 "Taylor is definitely our Miracle Child at Atrium Health Navicent, and it is so fitting that he be chosen as Georgia's representative for Children's Miracle Network. He has overcome such tremendous odds, defying science, and now he can share his story with the state and the nation," said Dr. Eric Long, Trauma and Critical Care Surgeon for CHNH.

 To follow Taylor's journey through the coming year, please use "#GACMNChampion15" on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 "Taylor's recovery, his life, is indeed a reason to celebrate and he is so very deserving of this honor. This honor not only celebrates Taylor and his remarkable spirit and will to survive, but also celebrates the dedication of his parents, Wendy and Don, who never left his side, and the remarkable teamwork and innovation exhibited by our staff in order to allow Taylor to heal. We are so very proud of Taylor and all that he has overcome ," said Dr. Ninfa M Saunders, President and CEO of Atrium Health Navicent.

The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions program presented by Delta Air Lines, Marriott International and Chico's FAS identifies a child from each state, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico with a remarkable medical story and passion for advocating on behalf of children's hospitals. These Champions serve as ambassadors for the 62 kids treated every minute at 170 member 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 $5 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 learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.