[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 6, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S4819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING JOHNS HOPKINS AND THE CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, today I recognize the incredible work of 
the Children's Miracle Network. Through their efforts to raise money 
for children's hospitals across the United States, countless children 
and families have had access to lifesaving health services.
  One of these children is Zannah Simons of Baltimore, MD. As a 
newborn, Zannah was diagnosed with a prenatal heart defect and a 
hypoplastic right heart. One day, Zannah was taken to the hospital in 
cardiac arrest and diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection. She was 
placed on a life support machine that took over the function of her 
heart and lungs and was given 24 to 48 hours to live.
  However, Zannah survived, and that hospital visit marked the 
beginning of several serious medical procedures, including two open 
heart surgeries to repair her heart. Doctors also recommended that 
Zannah's parents be screened to ensure that Zannah's heart defects 
weren't genetic. As a result of the screenings, it was discovered that 
Zannah's mother had hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
  Zannah is now a healthy and active 4-year-old who loves to dance and 
sing. Stories like Zannah's highlight the importance of medical 
institutions like Johns Hopkins, where she received care, as well as 
the Children's Miracle Network who helped make this access to care 
possible.
  Because of medical research, lives like Zannah's are saved and 
improved. Chronic diseases are better managed. We are better able to 
detect diseases at their earliest and most treatable stages and people 
survive conditions that were once considered fatal. These improvements 
did not just happen overnight; they happened because we invested needed 
resources and because we supported our Nation's brilliant medical 
workforce. We must continue to do so.
  Medical research is an investment that helps Americans to live longer 
and with better quality of life. We must not abandon our commitment to 
developing new techniques and technologies for curing and preventing 
illness.
  Since 1983, the Children's Miracle Network has raised $5 billion and 
distributed it to 170 children's hospitals. The hospitals use these 
donations for uncompensated care, family lodging, and travel expenses 
and research. In the case of Zannah, these donations helped fund the 
medical equipment that ultimately saved her life.
  The funds that hospitals receive from the Children's Miracle Network 
provides a safety net to families under incredible stress.
  Johns Hopkins Children's Center and the Children's Miracle Network 
played a role in saving Zannah's life, as well as diagnosing her 
mother's heart issue. This would not have been possible were it not for 
advances in medical research and the support that the Children's 
Miracle Network provides. Every minute, 62 children enter a Children's 
Miracle Network hospital. Unfortunately, some children are not as lucky 
as Zannah. Let's continue to support medical research and family safety 
net programs so that all children have the opportunity to live a full 
and healthy life.

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