A vast network of pediatric caregivers, compassionate supporters, celebrities and 65 inspiring kids each treated at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital gathered Oct. 19-23 at Disney World. Attendees honored advancements in life-saving treatments and increased awareness for the children’s charity and its 170 hospitals.

Ambassadors, known as “Champions,” from each U.S. state and Canada were honored at a special medal ceremony for courageously facing medical challenges; met with representatives from title sponsor Ace Hardware and other supporting partners; served as Grand Marshals in Disney World’s “Celebrate a Dream Come True” parade; and told their stories during nationwide TV and radio broadcasts from Disney World’s Rose Garden.

The Celebration program concluded Saturday, Oct. 22 with CMN Hospitals’ Miracle Awards presented by Delta Air Lines. The evening’s program was hosted by NBC News alum Meredith Vieira and featured performances and appearances by actor John Schneider, musician David Archuleta, country star Mark Wills, Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan, NFL great Steve Young and a vocal performance by former Children’s Miracle Network Hospital patient Eileen Garrido.

 “This year’s Celebration was incredibly successful, allowing our hospitals, corporate partners and the children they're helping come together to commemorate critical work being done,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “We also used this gathering opportunity to launch our action plan to raise $1 billion a year by 2022 for our member hospitals.”

Event photos are available at www.cmnhospitals.org/champions11, and Miracle Award recipients are as follows:

Children’s Miracle Achievement Awards

Dr. Desmond Bohn, The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto). See video.

Dr. Hisashi Nikaidoh, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis (Tulsa, Okla.). See video.

Teddy Bear Transport Team, Cook Children’s Medical Center (Fort Worth, Texas). See video.

Supporter Awards

Founders Award: David and Gail Liniger, RE/MAX

Delta Miracle Maker Award: Jeanne Kemperle

Merlin Olsen Legacy of Miracles Award: Mary Lou Retton

Stephanie Melemis Excellence in Service Award

Stephanie Hall, All Children’s Hospital (St. Petersburg, Fla.)

Television

Station Founder’s Award: CTV Ottawa, Ontario

Max Keeping Broadcast Excellence Award: Angela Pace, WBNS-CBS (Columbus, Ohio)

Radio Awards presented by Foresters

Radio Station Supporter of the Year: “Slacker” Mike Lee, Alice 105.9 (Denver)

Ken Peterson Founders Awards for Radio Stations of the Year

Large Market: Mix 107.3 (Washington, D.C.)

Medium Market: KTAR 92.3 (Phoenix)

Small Market: WGSF 1030 AM (Memphis, Tenn.)