by Joy Bowick, Public Relations

Magno Carvalho

No one knows exactly how long Magno was underwater, but everyone who has heard his story knows that his recovery is truly a miracle.

That is perhaps why the Children's Hospital picked him as this years' Children's Miracle Network (CMN) miracle child.

He nearly drowned a month ago in a lake near his home in Myrtle Beach, but he was saved. Through quick thinking and action of a neighbor, a rapid response from EMS, prayers of his parents, work of doctors and his own will to live, Magno has almost no signs at all of his accident, save some minor eye irritations.

Magno's story and others like his are what the Children's Hospital at MUSC are all about, the combined efforts of the community and the individual to save and treat sick children.

Magno was playing by himself in a lake near his home in Myrtle Beach and somehow got so much sand in his eyes that he became disoriented and could not find his way to the shore. With no one around to here his cries for help, Magno became immersed in the water.

A neighbor, Russell Lynn Bremer, happened to be walking by and found him floating in the water. Bremer, a nurse, immediately called 911 and performed CPR on him for 10 to 15 minutes.

“The real miracle in the story is that Magno has no serious neurologic injuries. Usually patients who undergo long periods of CPR with severe acidosis and severe cardio pulmonary problems have a high mortality, and if they survive, significant neurologic disabilities,” said Fred Tecklenberg, M.D., Magno's physician during his stay at the Children's Hospital. “Magno is physically unphased by his accident, his short term and long term memory are fine. He was bilingual before his accident and he is just as bilingual now.”

The only detail that Magno can remember from his experience is the feeling of a woman picking him up, whether the woman was Bremer or one of the nurses in the hospital is unknown.

Magno's parents, Claudio Afonso and Maria Aparecida Carvalho are originally from Brazil and are currently living in Myrtle Beach.

"The real champions in the stories like this one, are the children, doctors, families and sponsors." said Barbara Rivers, director of development for the Children's Hospital Fund.

The weekend after Memorial Day (May 30, 31st) celebrates the 15th annual Children's Miracle Network Weekend of Champions on Channel 5. They will be broadcasting live from the Wellness Center. All funds raised through CMN for the Children's Hospital go directly into research and patient care here at MUSC.

For information on how to contribute your YES dollars to the Children's Hospital Fund, contact the development office at 792-1973.

The YES Campaign pledge form can also be obtain from the web site at <http://www.musc.edu/catalyst/yesform.htm