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2022 Champion Child : Baylee Millett
WVU Medicine Children ’ s became a home away from home for one family in April 2020 , when their 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia .
The first round of treatment was rough for Baylee . She started losing her hair , and the steroids caused diabetes . Baylee took it all in stride , and after three weeks of treatment in the hospital , she was discharged home . She continued her treatment mostly as an outpatient for the next eight months , but traveling to Morgantown for treatment every week was hard on the whole family .
Jodee Hensley , Baylee ’ s mom , credits the staff at WVU Medicine Children ’ s for going above and beyond to keep Baylee ’ s spirits up throughout the ordeal .
“ The staff is truly amazing ; they are now our family ,” Jodee says . “ Baylee has three favorite nurses who were with us every step of the way since that first night .”
In early 2021 , Baylee moved into the maintenance phase of her treatment , where she currently remains . She sees her oncology team once a month for bloodwork and medication adjustments .
Today , Baylee is the 2022 Children ’ s Miracle Network ( CMN ) Hospitals Champion Child , representing children who receive care at WVU Medicine Children ’ s . CMN raises money and awareness for 170 member hospitals across the U . S . and Canada .
“ Baylee ’ s cancer has made everyone stronger ,” says Nick Millett , her dad . “ Baylee can now face any challenge in her future and overcome it . She got through this — she can get through anything .”
• Foundations . The Milan Puskar Foundation contributed $ 1 million , Friends of WVU Hospitals pledged $ 500,000 and the Wheeling-based Circus Saints & Sinners Club pledged $ 150,000 to benefit families across the Mountain State .
• Business leaders . The Lorenze family , led by entrepreneur Steve Lorenze Jr ., contributed $ 1 million to honor the memory of his late wife , Ginger , and her lifelong passion for children . Mike Ross , a former energy executive and state lawmaker , and his wife , JoAnn , donated a portion of their $ 1 million gift to WVU Medicine Children ’ s , where their family has always received exceptional care .
• WVU alumni , faculty and staff . Hostetler and his wife , Vicky , made several gifts — totaling more than $ 175,000 — via the Hoss Foundation . Their contributions benefit the I Am A Mountaineer initiative , a coordinated effort to create a sports-themed family resource hub that has garnered support from other legacy Mountaineer athletes . Hostetler ’ s vision launched the initiative , which includes a new home for the Hostetler Family Resource Center .
Yet , small gifts account for most of the contributions to the new hospital . WVU Medicine Children ’ s supporters made approximately 10,000 gifts in total , and more than 90 % were valued at $ 1,000 or less .
“ We are so grateful to the dedicated supporters who are part of the WVU Medicine Children ’ s family ,” says Amy L . Bush , B . S . N .,
MBA , R . N ., C . N . O . R ., WVU Medicine Children ’ s chief operating officer . “ We couldn ’ t do what we do without the generosity of people throughout the state of West Virginia and beyond , and this hospital is proof that every dollar counts . So many people , businesses , organizations and more contributed what they could , and it added up in a big way to make a difference in the lives of Mountain State children and families for generations to come .”
How to Give
Individuals or businesses interested in supporting WVU Medicine Children ’ s can call 304-598-4346 or visit Childrens . WVUMedicine . org / Giving . All gifts are made through the WVU Foundation , the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of West Virginia University and its affiliated entities .
( 304 ) 598-4346 | Childrens . WVUMedicine . org / Giving