Levine Children's Hospital patient represents North Carolina in a special program and travels from Disney to D.C. Katlin Watts shares her remarkable medical experience in Children's Miracle Network's program, Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam's Club

Katlin Watts, 13, a sickle cell anemia patient at Levine Children's Hospital joined other child ambassadors from every state as part of the Children's Miracle Network program, Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam's Club. The program brings attention to the important work being done at children's hospitals by honoring remarkable children like Katlin who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges.

Katlin suffers from sickle cell anemia, a disease that predominantly targets African Americans. This brave 13-year-old girl suffers three-to-four pain crises a year, undergoes frequent blood transfusions, and recently had hip surgery due to the disease affecting her hipbone. Katlin was selected for the positive attitude she keeps while managing her disease on a daily basis.

Katlin and her fellow champions traveled for one week - first to Florida for the Children's Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort, and then to Washington D.C. Katlin visited the Capitol Hill and The White House to share her story, representing the 17 million children treated at Children's Miracle Network hospitals each year throughout the United States.

Since 1987, Children's Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked together to help children by raising money for children's hospitals. Walmart and Sam's Club associates, customers and members have raised and contributed more than $460 million for children's hospitals nationwide.

"Over the past two decades, Children's Miracle Network, its hospitals and especially the children treated have found a very special place in the hearts of Walmart and Sam's Club associates," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "Our support for Champions Across America builds on the emotional connection our associates have with the children cared for by these hospitals."

About Children's Miracle Network

Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals. Each year, the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. To learn more go to www.chlildrensmiraclenetwork.org

About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. In 2007, Walmart, Sam's Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

Press Contact: Lindsay de Castrique
Associate Development Officer, Carolinas HealthCare Foundation
Lindsay.de.Castrique@carolinas.org
704.355.0933