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HAVE BEEN AN Associate of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital
for 12 years and have worked with the Children’s Miracle Network
(CMN) since I walked through the doors. I have found it to be one
of my most rewarding experiences.
It seems like one of the main things our hospital
and the community joins together for each year is the CMN broadcast.
Every day, there is speculation that our goal will not be met, yet
every year, we seem to surpass our goal. God has truly blessed our
community by making people believe in such a wonderful mission and
organization.
 In
the middle and forefront of this wonderful event each year is a
woman named Poddy Champeaux, and she is the Southwest Louisiana
region CMN director. What many people in our community and in other
places do not know is that this past year, this wonderful angel
has been undergoing a tremendous plight of her own—chemotherapy.
You would never have known this, for it has never dampened Poddy’s
spirits, nor the excitement or zest for what she is trying to achieve
for the children of Southwest Louisiana.
Everyone thought our goal would not be met in 2001,
but somehow it came together and happened…again. I think it
is due in large part to Poddy and her undying dedication, commitment
and enthusiasm. She never gives up, never gives in and she never
says “never.” To our amazement, she successfully did
it again this year, even through her own illness.
When the statement is made that “children
are our future,” Poddy not only strives to make this happen
on a day-to-day basis, she lives it each and every day of her life.
Through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, she has continued
to make “the children” her first goal. Even though she
has not felt her best, no one would ever know it, because she continues
on with a spirit that is totally and undeniably unbelievable.
I, as well as everyone in our organization, believe
that “children are our future.” With someone like Poddy
in their corner, their future will always be much brighter and happier.
She is truly an inspiration to all and an angel in waiting for her
wings.
I personally believe that God has had a hand in
providing our region the benefit of the Children’s Miracle
Network, but moreover, I believe He was looking out for our children
by placing this wonderful lady where she is today in their lives.
Children are our future, and Poddy Champeaux and the Children’s
Miracle Network are our children’s future.
Loretta Findley
Associate
CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital
Lake Charles, Louisiana
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