Jake's Story

Jake Finkbonner
Age 9
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Flesh-Eating Disease

Jake Finkbonner was pushed from behind and hit his lip on the base of a basketball hoop while playing. It seemed minor, but the next day his face and head had swollen to twice their size.

The disease kept spreading like wildfire by the time anyone knew the cause. It was Strep A, or necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease. The vicious bacteria had gotten into Jake’s bloodstream, and it was devouring his flesh faster than doctors could stop it. To save his life, they had to remove the damaged tissue on Jake’s face, head and neck to stop the infection’s constant advance.

Jake’s spent nine weeks at Seattle Children’s Hospital, has had 25 surgeries to date, and each day for 2 weeks was put in a hyperbaric chamber to stop the progression of the disease. He has scars across his scalp from ear to ear, on his chest from one shoulder to the other, down his neck, and on his face. Now 9, Jake will never look the same as before, but the team of physical, occupational and speech therapists and the skilled surgeons at Seattle Children’s continue to help Jake in his recovery.

Jake stays positive about the battles he’s faced and those yet to come. “I’m proud because I know I can make it through,” said Jake. “I know I can make it through other ones and soon it will be all over.”

About Walmart and Sam's Club

Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $460 million for children’s hospitals during the relationship. This is the first year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions Across America program.

Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam's Club

Champions Across America presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club is a Children's Miracle Network program that brings attention to the important work being done at children’s hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have faced severe medical challenges.

The Champions Across America program designates a Champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2009 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including brittle bone disease, brain tumors and cerebral palsy, as well as surviving car accidents and plane crashes.

As part of Champions Across America, the Champions travel for a week – first to Florida to meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsors, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort. The group will then travel to Washington, D.C., where Champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to The White House.