FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 14, 2002

*Editors: See satellite coordinates at end of release

LOCAL CHILD HONORED AS CHAMPION IN WHITE HOUSE VISIT
Former UC Davis Children's Hospital Patient Selected to Represent California in National Children's Miracle Network Program

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- Many championship teams have visited the White House over the years, but few have had as much to celebrate as 6-year-old Blake Lyon of Sacramento, Calif. His visit to the White House March 22 with NFL MVP Kurt Warner, Miss America 2001 Katie Harman and 49 other young "champions" from across the United States will mark a much greater victory than any trophy ever could.

Blake's victory is a personal one. The son of Sacramento business owners Mike and Kim Lyon suffered a traumatic head injury when he fell on cement in his back yard four years ago at the age of 3. Although he initially seemed fine, he soon suffered a seizure, underwent surgery and was in a coma for a week in the pediatric intensive care unit at UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento, Calif.

As one of 50 children--one from every state--participating in a Children's Miracle Network program called Foresters Champions Across America, he has been invited to a special reception at the White House. Selected as California's representative in the program, Blake will go to Washington, D.C., as an ambassador for 17 million hospitalized kids.

"The incredible courage and determination of these kids inspires us all," said actor John Schneider If the WB's "Smallville," who co-founded Children's Miracle Network with entertainer Marie Osmond. "They really are champions, every one of them, and they deserve to be honored."

In his battle with a traumatic brain injury, Blake has not been alone. He was treated at UC Davis Children's Hospital, one of the 170 Children's Miracle Network children's hospitals.

UC Davis Children's Hospital, part of UC Davis Health System, takes care of some 60,000 children every year, offering a range of services from a level 1 pediatric trauma center and emergency room, to the highest level neonatal and pediatric intensive care units and medical experts in more than 25 specialties.

The Champions Across America program is sponsored by Foresters, a proud supporter of Children's Miracle Network.

Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by raising funds and awareness for 170 children's hospitals throughout North America. Each year these non-profit hospitals treat 17 million children with diseases and injuries of every kind. For more information, visit www.cmn.org.

*Editor's Note:
B-roll of 2002 Champions Across America children at White House available on March 22.

Satellite coordinates for the White House reception are: TELSTAR 5 C-band
TRANSPONDER 05
Downlink Frequency - 3800 V, Audio - 6.2, 6.8

Technical Assistance Number after 11:15 a.m. E.S.T. on March 22 (202) 467-5670

Copies of all news releases from UC Davis Health System are available on the Web at
http://news.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

MEDIA CONTACT:

Martha Alcott, Medical News Office: (916) 734-9027

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