A champion for children

A champion for children

Nathan White Cloud3His body might not always have the energy it needs, but 6-year-old Nathan Ferrell’s fun-loving personality stands in stark contrast to his disease as he faces his unique medical challenge with courage every day. Now, Nathan, a patient at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, will use that courage and his natural charm to tackle a new role that could help other children across the state of Florida. Nathan has been named this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Florida Champion. In this role, Nathan will serve as a fundraising and awareness ambassador for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, the state of Florida and all children treated at the CMN’s 170 member hospitals. Shortly before his first birthday, Nathan was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, a degenerative disease that attacks the mitochondria, which create energy for the body’s systems to sustain themselves and support growth. — Peveeta Persaud