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Bledsoe Truly A Champion. Last week, QB Drew Bledsoe missed some time at the Patriots' strength and conditioning program for a good cause. He was working together with the Children's Miracle Network, trying to make the lives of 51 children a little happier...and he did. Bledsoe and the children made a visit to two different places. Their first stop was the White House, where Drew presented Hillary Rodham Clinton with the first Children's Champion of the Year award. After the White House visit, Bledsoe accompanied the kids to Disney World here in Orlando, Fla. Drew has always been a part of making children's lives better. He is an active participant in the Children's Miracle Network Telethon's, where they raise money to support ill children who need special care and most important...a friend. Drew said, "It's the most amazing thing I've ever been a part of. The stories these kids share, stories of courage and determination in fighting the odds of what they're up against, is incredible." Drew also spoke of a certain child which had a special message to Mrs. Clinton. The child's name is Chris Wayne. His special message was, "Never in my wildest dreams ... did I ever believe I'd be standing in the White House talking to you guys today," Those uplifting words were said to bring Mrs. Clinton tears...along with Drew's too. Wayne, 14, was born three months premature with cerebral palsy. After 14 operations, he learned to walk at age 3. Vice president of communications for CMN, Roger Cook, said "Drew's eyes weren't exactly dry" "Drew was just great all weekend. There are many organizations who have celebrities lend their names to their organizations, but Drew goes beyond that. He's out there with the kids. And he loves every minute of it." Those are words that would make any Patriots fan proud. In a world of over-paid athletes, it's refreshing to see an athlete do something from the goodness of his heart just because he
The children were the caddies at a recent golf skills competition at Disney World, which Bledsoe, along with 10 other players participated in. "Some of the quarterbacks weren't really into it," said Cook. "But Drew really was great, talking to the kids and letting them hold his clubs to make them feel a part of it." If that doesn't make you proud of being a Patriot fan, nothing will. The Children's Miracle Network is affiliated with 170 hospitals nationwide, and last year the hospitals gave $2.5 billion in medical care to needy families. The charity contributed $150 million last year and $172 million so far this year, money collected largely through a 21-hour telethon and corporate fund-raising. Drew was a part of all that. "When you become a parent like I am now, you appreciate more the health and well-being of your child," said Drew. "I'm fortunate in that if something ever happened to my child I'd have the financial wherewithal to make sure he got the best medical care money could buy. But not everyone has that luxury. And what this organization does is make sure that the kids who really need the medical care and can't afford it get it." |
