Valero Kick-off

Yesterday was one of my last kick off meetings of the summer. I got to speak to all of the really nice people of Valero. They watched my video, than I shared my story and thanked them for supporting Children's Miracle Network. I love giving my speech and hope that I get to do it a few more times before the year is over.

I also found out that Coca-Cola is doing a Champions night at a Rockies game coming up. That is going to be so much fun and something else I can write about.

Your Smiling and Happy Colorado Champion,

Ayla

Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day

Today was the Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day. It was really fun. Dairy Queen donated a portion of every Blizzard sale to Children's Miracle Network.

I had (3) different visits to make today so I got to spend my entire day at different Dairy Queen's. The best part of the day was thanking the owners, managers and employees. I got to give each store a special plaque, with my picture on it, as a thank you. They were really neat plaques and it was fun to see my picture up on the wall. This picture was taken of some friends of ours who visited a Dairy Queen in Colorado Springs and saw the plaque, with my picture, on the wall. It was also fun to thank the people who came in to buy a blizzard. I would introduce myself, explain that I was the CMN champion and thank them for supporting me and all the kids who go to Children's Hospital.

The day was not all work. In two of the stores I got blizzards and in one of them we had lunch. It was such a fun day and it meant a lot to me to help raise more funds for Children's Miracle Network.

Your Smiling and Happy Colorado Champion,

Ayla

Re/Max Golf Tournament - A really Fun Day!

This week I got to participate in the Re/Max Golf Tournament. It was such a fun event and it was HUGE. There were almost 200 people here and they raise a lot of money for CMN. It was a really long day, but it was fun because I got to help to actually raise money.

I was on what they call a Bubba Watson hole (with my new friend and 2009 champion Tess). On this hole they could donate $20.00 and drop their ball way, way up on the hole. We collected $420.00 on our hole and I think only one set of golfers were able to say no to Tess and me. It was also fun because I started to take golf lessons this summer, and a couple of people let me hit their ball for them.

After they were done golfing they did a really fun thing. A helicopter dropped golf balls from high up (the balls were bought by people and all had numbers on them). The one that landed closest to the pin won money. It was so neat to be that close to a helicopter.

The night ended with me getting to speak during dinner. It was so much fun with so many people in the room. They made me feel so good. I told them that ITP is not who I am, just what I have, and they all started to applaud during my speech (that was the first time that has happened). At the end, the whole room stood up and clapped. I really love sharing my story and telling everyone how great Children's Miracle Network and Children's Hospital Colorado is to us kids.

There is no time to rest this week because I am getting ready to go visit some Dairy Queen's for the Miracle Treat Day. This is going to be another really fun day.

Your Smiling and Happy Colorado Champion,

Ayla

One week, two events

This week I got to do two events raising money for Children's Miracle Network.

First was a fundraiser at a Shell gas station put on by Suncor Energy. It was so cool. They were giving out gas cards to everyone who came and donated to CMN. This was the second one they did. The sold out of the cards in a record time of 27 minutes. But, people kept coming because KYGO (the best country station around) was doing what they call live feeds from the gas station. The picture I posted is me, my sister and both Kelly and Rider who do the morning show. They were so cool and so many people came to see them. I spent the whole time helping to give away prizes to people who spun the wheel. That was a lot of fun. My favorite part was helping to sell and make money for Children's Miracle Network.

Than, just today, I got to go to a Marriott golf tournament supporting CMN. There were over 100 golfers there and during lunch I got to give my speech. I love sharing my story and I especially like it when they laugh at my jokes.

I have a few more events this month so look for some more updates.

Your Smiling and Happy Colorado Champion,

Ayla

Ace Hardware, "Grill Your Ace Off"

On June 10 I got to do a really cool event. Ace Hardware had a cook-off with a ton of different people grilling all sorts of food. I got to be a judge. I thanked everyone for supporting Children's Miracle Network, but I also got to try EVERYTHING they were cooking. I had chicken, ribs, steak, beans, mac & cheese, pork, pizza, hamburgers and so many other types of food. My winners choice was a steak that was the best I have ever eaten. I was so full when I was done I could barely walk.

After the judging I got to share my story with everyone. I love giving my speech and telling everyone about how great Children's Miracle Network is and how they all need to support it.

I wanted to share some pictures so you can all see how much fun it was.

I cannot wait to share more of my summer's adventures.

Your Smiling and Happy Colorado Champion,

Ayla

Colorado Children's Miracle Network Champion Launch - May 18

This was one of the most coolest and surprising days I have had. Today was the day that they announced me as the Colorado Champion. The whole day made me feel special and excited inside, I could not stop smiling. The day was really cool from the start all the way until the limo dropped me back at school.

The day started with the amazing Children's Miracle Network team coming to my school. They brought treats and stuff to give to all of my classmates. Molly told all of my friends about the champion program and what I will be doing. Than she showed my video to the whole class. This was really fun since do of my friends in class were also in the video. The really special thing that happened was that the WHOLE class surprised me by singing "We are the champions" to me. But, they would sing YOU are the champion. It made me feel really happy and amazed that they would take the time to sing this to me instead of just saying goodbye.

After we finished in my class, a limo came to my school to pick me up. When I first saw the limo and went inside I really felt like a superstar. It was so big, had cool lights, a lift up door, a T.V., a radio and I got to drink sprite. The limo brought us to a Walmart store and when I walked in, they had all the Walmart people lined up and clapping for me. I felt so surprised that I could not even speak. They told everyone about me and the champion program. I felt so special being there in front of everyone. The even brought a big Walmart truck that brings all the stuff to the stores in the front. Me, my sister and my friend Sam got to go into the truck and play around (and honk the big horn). The biggest surprise that they gave me a $500 gift certificate for Walmart so I could go shopping and get clothes and stuff for the Champions trip in October. I was so excited and happy. They even had a shopping cart that was made just for me (it was covered in ribbons and balloons). We had over 10 people walking around the store and watching me shop. I bought so much stuff like clothes, swimsuits and toys, but still only spent $100 so I have $400 more to spend before the trip.

Once we were ready to leave all the amazing people at Walmart, we got McDonald's to eat in the limo on the way home. It was the coolest car ride ever. It was LIMOTASTIC!

This was one of the best days ever. I love being picked to be the champion. I get to do a lot of fun things, I get to help raise a lot of money for Children's Hospital and I get to meet a lot of very nice people. All of the girls who I work with at the CMN (Molly, Katie, Melissa and Dana) are so great and so amazing for all of the nice things they do for me.

I cannot wait to share my next adventure.

Your Smiling And Happy Colorado Champion,

Ayla

My First Champion Events

This is my first blog, but I have had A LOT of really amazing and fun events. I will start to blog after each one, but for now I want to share what I have done as the Colorado Champion:

In February I got to be involved in a radio thon for Children's Hospital. It started last November when they taped my story for to play during Alice's 36 Hours of Miracles. I also had a news crew come out and do a story on me for them to play on that first day. It was really cool to be on 9news. The radio thon lasted for three days from 6am to 6pm. I was going to be on the TV and the Radio live to kick off the fundraiser. I was supposed to be there on Wednesday morning early but I got very sick and ended up going to the E.R. at Children's Hospital even earlier (at 3am). They let me go from the E.R. to the atrium so I could do my TV and Radio interview. Even though I was not feeling good, I was still excited and did a perfect job. It was fun being a part of such a big fundraiser.

In April I got to go to Children's Hospital and speak at the fundraising kick-off campaign for Costco, Walmart and Sam's Club. I had a lot of fun speaking in front of them all and I loved that they all laughed at the jokes I put into my speech. I really love to help do everything I can to raise money for Children's Hospital in Colorado. If you want to watch me speaking at one of the events, please click the link below:

Ayla Speaking for Children's Miracle Network to Walmart

In May I got to go to two golf tournaments so everyone could meet a real patient of the hospital and hear my story (I did my speech at both events). At one event I got to drive around and sell Children's Miracle Network pins. I could not believe how many we sold and how many people loved getting to meet me. At the other event I got to drive around and take pictures with each of the golf teams. The day got a little more fun when my Dad let me drive the golf cart (it was my first time). I drove about 4 holes until someone came up to us and told me I could not drive anymore. The real fun of the day was watching all of those people having a good time and supporting all of us kids.

I will be telling you about each event, from now on, after it happens.

I am so happy that I was chosen as the 2011 Children's Miracle Network Colorado Champion and cannot wait to help all of the kids that need help.

Your Smiling And Happy Colorado Champion,

Ayla

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions

Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 51 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.

The Champions program designates a 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 2011 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.

The Champions travel for a week in October, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals sponsors, hospital representatives and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.

Ayla's Story

Ayla
Age 10

Colorado
The Children’s Hospital
Blood Disorder

When Ayla was 3 years old, a minor accident on the playground resulted in severe dark bruises on her legs. When her worried parents took her to the doctor, the test results turned their world upside down.

Ayla was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disease that affects the body’s ability to clot blood and stop bleeding. The disease made Ayla’s body unable to control even the smallest cut or bruise—a frightening scenario for an active toddler. Although 90 percent of childhood ITP cases clear up within a year, Ayla’s did not. Her ITP is chronic, necessitating numerous blood transfusions, frequent hospital visits and even a splenectomy.

A few months after her diagnosis, Ayla’s family moved to Denver, Colo., so she could receive ongoing care at The Children’s Hospital. “At our first appointment, we knew we had found the right place,” said Ayla’s father, Jay.

Now 10, Ayla is mature, empathetic and patient with the challenges of her disease. She plays the piano and violin, and loves to swim and dance.