A girl from Conception Bay North who was diagnosed with two serious heart defects when she was just days old is the new ambassador for the Janeway Children’s Miracle Network.

Karlee MacDonald needed life-saving open heart surgery before she was one month old. After weeks of recovery and years of follow-up care at the Janeway, Karlee is now nine years old and thriving as a competitive dancer.

Karlee has a busy year ahead as the 2026 Champion, announced by the Janeway Foundation on the weekend at the launch of the Miracle Network Telethon.

Rebecca Dutton, President and CEO of the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation, says they will be focusing on raising money for new equipment in diagnostic imagery, the emergency room, and for surgery.

“Diagnostic imaging is so important and new technology is coming on stream every single day,” says Dutton. “Kids can’t wait for care so these pieces of equipment are vital.”

The Janeway Telethon, which will be broadcast on NTV, takes place June 6 and 7.