Nine-year-old Norah Matchet from New Brunswick was announced as the 2025 Children’s Miracle Network Champion for the IWK on Wednesday during a special event at the Fredericton North Walmart. Norah will represent children and youth who received specialized treatment and care at IWK health throughout 2025. She will share her story to support fundraising in the Maritimes. Melanie Matheson, Director of Development at the IWK Foundation said they were thrilled to announce Norah as champion. “Norah and her family are passionate about sharing their story to raise awareness and encourage others to support the IWK,” Matheson said. “They will be fantastic local and national representatives for patients across the Maritimes who rely on the IWK.” Norah and her family will participate in events during Children’s Hospitals Week at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., from April 7 – 10. They will join with other patients and families from across North America who “know first-hand the importance of having access to critical and specialized pediatric care,” said a Wednesday news release. Children’s Hospitals Week unites over 1,000 health professionals “to celebrate, connect, and shape the future of children’s healthcare,” according to their website. Norah was born with a cleft lip and palate. She’s had multiple surgeries and still experiences problems with hearing and speech. The Children’s Miracle Network Champion program brings together representatives from children’s hospital foundations across Canada and the United States. The Children’s Miracle Network raises funds and awareness for critical treatments, health-care services, pediatric medical equipment and research for 170 member hospitals. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.