Georgia MacAloney, 8, of Hudson, and her mother, Justine, are greeted by Walmart associates during the June 30 fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

HUDSON – Eight-year-old Georgia MacAloney of Hudson received a hero’s welcome from Walmart associates having been named this year’s Boston Children’s Hospital champion.

It is a well-deserved accolade considering everything she has endured in her young life — starting just 24 hours after birth.

Georgia’s mother, Justine MacAloney, said Georgia began showing symptoms of what appeared to be a bowel obstruction and was transferred from Lowell General Hospital to Tufts Medical Center. After three weeks at Tufts, Georgia was sent home only to be back in the hospital a few days later.

Georgia was then taken to Children’s Hospital and within a day, she was diagnosed with a chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

According to Children’s Hospital, the illness is defined as a “rare disorder in which intestinal nerve or muscle problems prevent food, fluid and air from moving through the stomach and intestines. The child experiences the symptoms of an intestinal blockage, though no actual physical blockage exists.” From the 3.7 million babies that are born in the United States every year, approximately 100 of them have this condition.

During the 102 days that Georgia was at Children’s Hospital, Dr. Samuel Nurko devised a treatment plan that would finally allow her to go home at four months old. His plan involved putting Georgia on a drug called Cisapride as well as giving her a colostomy bag and a gastrostomy tube.

MacAloney said caring for Georgia was a herculean task, particularly with two other children at home. She also said that by the time her daughter was six months old, her family had amassed nearly half a million dollars in medical expenses. Therefore, Medicaid has been crucial in paying for things such as medication and formulas.

In June 2023, Georgia and her family were invited to attend the 18th annual Family Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. However, they were unable to go as Georgia was rushed to the hospital at the last minute.

In the two years that have passed, Georgia has shown tremendous improvement and only goes to Children’s Hospital for routine monthly check-ups. MacAloney said the turning point was when Georgia had part of her intestine removed.

“That was the game changer,” she said.

Georgia and her family were also able to attend the 19th Family Advocacy Day in 2024 and met with New Hampshire’s federal delegation.

“You talk to people who are actually making these decisions,” MacAloney said during the June 30 fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Although Georgia still has the chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, MacAloney said her daughter is now a competitive cheerleader and participates in tumble gymnastics.

“She doesn’t look sick,” said MacAloney, adding that Georgia will be going into third grade at Hills Garrison Elementary School.

Sharon Yon-Johansson, director of cause marketing at Children’s Hospital Trust, said Georgia was recognized for her “courage and resilience.”

“Champions like Georgia are instrumental in raising awareness about the critical need for donations to support pediatric healthcare,” she said. “By sharing their personal journeys during local campaigns and events, these young ambassadors and their families vividly demonstrate the profound impact of community-driven fundraising. Their stories highlight how such support enables hospitals to provide essential care and services to children in need.”

In addition to being named Children’s Hospital champion, Georgia raised $200,000 to help other children with similar illnesses. Her picture is on display at both Children’s Hospital and the Prudential Center in Boston. Georgia also got to meet Jake Diekman, a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, who suffers from ulcerative colitis and established the Gut It Out Foundation in 2017.