Arrianna's Story

Arrianna
Age 15
Rhabdomyosarcoma

Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children

All Arrianna wants is to be a normal teenager, but her multiple fights with cancer have made her life anything but ordinary.

At age 7, Arrianna was first diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. The cancer first manifested itself as a tumor wrapped around her spine, which required surgery and 39 weeks of chemotherapy and 5 weeks of radiation treatments.

At age 11, the cancer reappeared. Six tumors were found from her head to her legs. She underwent another surgery and an additional 39 weeks of treatment.

In 2007, at age 13, two more tumors were found in her right upper leg. Arrianna triumphed through 42 weeks of treatment and surgery to remove 95 percent of the tumors.

Arrianna was initially given a 5 percent survival rate but has beat cancer three times. Although years of chemotherapy, radiation and major surgeries have left some lingering physical side effects, she is a bright young woman who exudes courage, confidence and the ultimate example of never giving up. Arrianna loves Anime, cooking and socializing with her friends at school.

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 $500 million for children’s hospitals during the 23 year relationship. This is the second year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions program.

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club

Champions 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 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 2010 champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, heart transplants and traumas, as well as life-threatening staph infections.

As part of Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, the champions travel for a week in June 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. The family then travels to Orlando, Fla., for a second week in November. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsor, 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.