2008 Children's Miracle Network Champion Named
Mark your calendars!
The 24th Children's Miracle Network Television Celebration will be held May 31, 2008.
Cora Knudsvig, age 7, Portland, N. D.
Each year MeritCare Children's Hospital doctors and staff choose a child to be our Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Champion. For Cora's brave battle we've chosen her to be our 2008 CMN Champion. This is her story.
December 31st 2005 is a day the Keith and Tanya Knudsvig family will never forget. After complaining about a bad headache and vomiting, 5 year old daughter Cora became unresponsive and was rushed to MeritCare Children's Hospital where doctors diagnosed her with a brain tumor (Papillary Neuroglioma).
The difficult news from Cora's doctors hit the family hard, a large tumor had grown undetected for several months and finally ran out of room and burst causing hemorrhaging and extensive damage to the right side of Cora's brain and partially on the left side. Her condition was critical and doctors were not sure if she would survive. And if she did, what her long-term prognosis would be. Would she ever be able to see, speak or recognize her family? Would she ever wake-up?
Cora did survive but it has been a long journey. She underwent three difficult brain surgeries and spent nearly three months at MeritCare Children's Hospital. She required extensive speech, occupational and physical therapy to regain control of her body.
Doctors will never know what caused Cora's condition but today she is doing great. She's back in school enjoying the first grade. She is a happy little girl who loves to dance, play board games, color and watch movies - her favorite is Win-Dixie.
Watch for more information throughout 2008 about Cora's amazing story and her year as MeritCare's CMN Champion.