Joshua's Story

Joshua
Age 10
Leukemia

Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Josh has a perspective that many adults will never obtain, let alone young boys. This became apparent when, at age 7, he turned to his mom and said, “Mom, I think I know why God gave me this disease. I think one day there’s going to be a little boy … who has no hair and cancer. I’m going to tell him, ‘it’s going to hurt a whole bunch, but it’s going to be okay.’”

Josh was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia right before his seventh birthday. His painful treatment included 40 months of chemotherapy at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He faced numerous complications, including a fungal infection in his lungs. He was even placed in a drug-induced coma, relying on machines to breathe for him.

But Josh fought through the whole ordeal with the help of his family, including younger brother, Elijah and his golden doodle Otis. Now age 10, he uses his story to inspire others. “Joshua and Friends,” a fundraising team headed by Joshua and his family, raised nearly $100,000 in just two years for leukemia research.

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.