CRESTVIEW — Drew Barefield, the 2016-17 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Florida Champion, is embarking on his first “diplomatic” mission, an awareness campaign in Washington, D.C.
Drew, 14, serves as a fundraising and awareness ambassador for The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where he was treated following a June 28, 2014, accident in which he was struck by a boater while snorkeling.
During his recovery, Drew spent 75 days in The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart and received 13 surgeries. He continued with months of often painful physical therapy upon returning home to Crestview.
Upon being named Florida’s champion on May 2, Drew said the honor is, for him, a way “to repay the community and show them how much I’m thankful for supporting me through my recovery.”
BUSY ITINERARY
Drew and members of his family arrive Saturday in Washington. Through next week, Drew and Champions from the 49 other states will share their inspiring stories to encourage charitable support for children’s hospitals and provide inspiration for pediatric trauma patients undergoing treatment.
Drew’s itinerary will include:
●A celebratory reception at the JW Marriott hotel with Champion alumni and supporters
●Touring Marriott International headquarters to thank company employees for their continued support
●Attending Senate meetings on Capitol Hill
●Generating awareness at a Washington Nationals baseball game
●Participating in a satellite media tour with TV stations across the country
●Attending an address by 1996 Champion alumnus, best-selling author and Paralympic skier Josh Sundquist.
During their awareness tour, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell, the national goodwill ambassador for CMN Hospitals, will accompany Drew and his fellow champions.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview teen to campaign for children's health in nation's capital