A CHAMPION AT HEART
Although the Ferrells make balancing
medicine and family life look effortless, it
wasn’t always an easy path to navigate.
“We were put into this medical world,
and we had to learn this new language,”
Amber said. “Those first few months were
very confusing and scary when trying to rule
out several diagnoses, but the care we have
received at UF Health has been phenomenal.
Many of the treatments physicians have tried
have worked and have given Nate a life we
never expected him to have when we started
this journey.”
To show their appreciation for the lifechanging
care Nate has received at UF Health
Shands Children’s Hospital, the Ferrells
have spent the past six years serving as an
ambassador family for Children’s Miracle
Network Hospitals, a nonprofit that raises
funds for medical research and lifesaving
equipment at hospitals such as UF Health
Shands Children's Hospital while increasing
awareness for children’s health issues.
Through this platform, the Ferrells have
shared their story with students, potential
donors and other pediatric patients and
families across the nation.
In 2014, Nate was chosen as the CMN
Florida Champion and traveled the country
along with representatives from other states
to spread awareness and raise funds. Through
his travels, he met former first lady Michelle
Obama in Washington, D.C., and comedian
and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel in Los
Angeles. His face has been on billboards from
Times Square to Tennessee.
While in Texas last year, the Ferrells were
standing in line at the grocery store when
Nate whispered, “Mom, that lady has a
picture of me on her shirt.” Sure enough,
the cashier was wearing a button decorated
with Nate’s smiling face and the signature
CMN balloon.
“We were nearly 1,000 miles away from
home, and someone who had never met Nate
was trying to raise money for CMN,” Amber
said. “It’s surreal seeing the impact he’s made
on thousands of people. His life has truly been
a light to so many across the country.”
Spend five minutes with Nate and it’s easy
to see that light emanating from his core. He
doesn’t shy away from strangers; instead, he
greets them with a grin and a handful of jokes
at the ready.
When he grows up, he hopes to continue to
entertain people through one of three dream
jobs: working at Walt Disney World, hosting
“The Tonight Show” or developing video games.
“It doesn’t matter if you have a disease,” he
said, “you can still do great things.”
“IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU HAVE A DISEASE…
YOU CAN STILL DO
GREAT THINGS.”
—Nate Ferrell
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GREATER
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