Sando's Story

Sando
Age 14
Sickle Cell Anemia

Hasbro Children’s Hospital

“Sando would be what I would think of as a child taking charge of her disease—rather than her disease ruling her,” says Dr. Chawla of Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Sando is an effervescent young lady who hasn’t let sickle cell disease prevent her from living the life of a happy teenager.

When Sando was just 3 months old she had some unusual, painful swelling of her fingers. Physicians finally discovered the problem—she had sickle cell disease.

In September 2003, Sando had difficulty breathing with a potentially fatal complication of her disease: acute chest syndrome. Sando underwent erythrocytaphereis, an aggressive procedure which exchanges the sickle cells in her blood with normal donor blood via a machine. Blood flow was restored to her affected lung and Sando recovered quickly. Sando, her mom and Dr. Chawla decided to place her on a medicine that has helped keep her blood from sickling.

Sando, 15, now keeps a busy academic and social schedule. It’s clear to see why Dr. Chawla says that Sando takes charge of her disease—she hasn’t let anything stop her from trying new things and living every moment with enthusiasm and energy.

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 cancer, diabetes and dog attacks, as well as rare genetic disorders.

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 where 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.