Kaitlin's Story

Katlin Watts
Age 13
Levine Children’s Hospital
Sickle Cell Anemia & Asthma

Katlin Watts, 13, has a spirited personality and contagious smile that light up a room. No one would ever know behind that smile she experiences pain as a result of sickle cell anemia—an inherited disease where red blood cells function abnormally and cause small blood clots to form. These blood clots cause recurrent painful episodes called “pain crises.” Katlin also suffers from asthma, which complicates sickle cell; an attack can trigger a pain crisis, ultimately putting Katlin in the hospital.

Typically Katlin experiences three to four pain crises a year. Recently she was hospitalized at Levine Children’s Hospital for six weeks due to a pain crisis. Since then she has been receiving monthly blood transfusions that have helped decrease the number of pain crises. Unfortunately sickle cell restricts blood flow, which has led to the depletion of Katlin’s hipbone. Katlin is currently waiting for a hip replacement and has been using crutches for nearly a year.

Katlin doesn’t allow her sickle cell or asthma to get in the way of living a full and fun life. She loves to swim and dance, and she dreams of becoming a judge or psychologist.

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 $460 million for children’s hospitals during the relationship. This is the first year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions Across America program.

Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam's Club

Champions Across America 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 Across America 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 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.

As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, 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. The group will then travel 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.