CHRISTUS Health announces local 2026 Children's Miracle Network Champion

12-year-old Trace White selected to represent CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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CHRISTUS Health has announced that 12-year-old Trace White has been selected as the local Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Champion representing CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. Trace, who was born six weeks early with Down syndrome, spent his first six weeks in the NICU at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Hospital - St. Elizabeth, where he received specialized care. Today, Trace is thriving, and as the local CMN Champion, he will share his story and advocate for specialized pediatric care in the community.

Why it matters

CMN Champions help demonstrate the vital role of reliable local, unrestricted fundraising as member hospitals work to meet the needs of their communities. Patients like Trace are proof of the transformative impact donations have on pediatric health care, and the CMN Champion program helps raise awareness and support for children's hospitals.

The details

Each year, CMN member hospitals across the nation select an ambassador to serve as the face of children receiving care at their local children's hospital. These ambassadors advocate for the charitable needs of children's hospitals throughout their region. As the local CMN Champion, Trace will share his story throughout the community, representing and advocating for specialized pediatric care at events and with donors. He will also help champion CMN's Health For All Kids Impact Pledge, a bold, nationwide commitment to raise $1 billion over the next two years to ensure every child has the best possible chance at a healthy future.

  • Trace White was born six weeks early in the NICU at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Hospital - St. Elizabeth.
  • Trace spent the first six weeks of his life receiving specialized, integrated care for feeding challenges and oxygen support in the NICU.
  • CHRISTUS Health announced Trace as the local 2026 Children's Miracle Network Champion on February 3, 2026.

The players

Trace White

A 12-year-old who was selected as the local Children's Miracle Network Champion representing CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System

The hospital system that Trace White is representing as the local Children's Miracle Network Champion.

Caralee Thompson

The Children's Miracle Network program director at the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation.

Aimee J. Daily

The president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network.

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled to have Trace representing CHRISTUS as our CMN Champion. As a nonprofit hospital, we rely on the support of the community to continue providing the accessible care our patients need and deserve. Patients like Trace are proof of the transformative impact donations have on pediatric health care.”

— Caralee Thompson, CMN program director, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation

“In today's health care landscape, children's hospitals have to do more with less at a time when kids' health care needs are becoming more complex and more urgent. The Impact Pledge demonstrates our expanded commitment to participate in the solution and invites communities to join our movement to ensure kids have the best possible chance for happy, healthy futures.”

— Aimee J. Daily, President & CEO, Children's Miracle Network

What’s next

As the local CMN Champion, Trace will share his story throughout the community, representing and advocating for specialized pediatric care at events and with donors. He will also help champion CMN's Health For All Kids Impact Pledge, a bold, nationwide commitment to raise $1 billion over the next two years to ensure every child has the best possible chance at a healthy future.

The takeaway

The selection of Trace White as the local Children's Miracle Network Champion for CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System highlights the important role that CMN Champions play in advocating for the charitable needs of children's hospitals and raising awareness about the transformative impact of donations on pediatric healthcare.