Springfield, IL (CAPTIOL CITY NOW) – Leaders of HSHS St. John’s Foundation and HSHS St. John’s Hospital announced two Springfield-area former patients of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital as 2025 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Local and National Champions at Monday morning ceremony at the Children’s Hospital.

CMN Champions are children who serve as ambassadors for the 170 member children’s hospitals in the United States and Canda. They offer personal testimonies of thriving against the odds of a very premature birth, life-threating injury, serious medical condition and more because of the high-quality, compassionate care they received.

9-year-old Jase Hendricks of Rochester, IL is the 2025 HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital Local Champion, Jase was seriously injured in an automobile accident at age 6 and spent several weeks in a coma and underwent many surgeries on his road to recovery. His mom and dad say he’s a bright, energetic kid who loves sports and helping others.

 11-year-old Lyndie Jones of Chestnut, IL is 2025 Children’s Miracle Network National Champion. Lyndie was born premature at 23 weeks and spent nine months in the neo-natal unit at St. Johns Children’s Hospital. She also endured many surgeries but now her mom says she’s a beautiful, smart, sassy young lady who is just where she needs to be right now. Lyndie says her year spent as the National Champion was exciting and rewarding and something she will miss.

HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital will serve 40,000 families this year.