{"id":104899,"date":"2026-02-14T07:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T07:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/patient-champion-for-intermountain-health-primary-childrens-hospital-to-receive-national-recognition-and-be-featured-on-cereal-boxes-nationwide\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T07:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T07:48:07","slug":"patient-champion-for-intermountain-health-primary-childrens-hospital-to-receive-national-recognition-and-be-featured-on-cereal-boxes-nationwide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/patient-champion-for-intermountain-health-primary-childrens-hospital-to-receive-national-recognition-and-be-featured-on-cereal-boxes-nationwide\/","title":{"rendered":"Patient Champion for Intermountain Health Primary Children\u2019s Hospital to Receive National Recognition and Be Featured on Cereal Boxes Nationwide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH NEWS\u202f\u202f\u00a0\u00a0
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For Immediate Release:
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Contact:
Erin Goff:\u00a0erin.goff@imail.org<\/a>\u00a0\/ 801-376-8157<\/p>\n

Link to download today\u2019s celebration b-roll:
https:\/\/securedrop.intermountain.net\/securedrop\/public.php?service=files&t=cc1a2f97e47ab4a247a172fc683c1b82<\/a><\/p>\n

Link to Kendalyn\u2019s story:
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=K2y7CQl961M<\/a><\/p>\n

Patient Champion for Intermountain Health Primary Children\u2019s Hospital to Receive National Recognition and Be Featured on Cereal Boxes Nationwide<\/strong><\/p>\n

Children\u2019s Miracle Network has chosen 11-year-old, Kendalyn Illu, a patient at Intermountain Health Primary Children\u2019s Hospital in Salt Lake City, as a National Champion to be a face of the network, representing 170 children\u2019s hospitals nationwide in 2026. Her image will be on General Mills cereal boxes in May, and in Costco stores nationwide.<\/p>\n

Kendalyn, along with 19 other children from across the United States, was selected for the honor by Children\u2019s Miracle Network for their positive attitude and for being great examples to other children in their communities.<\/p>\n

On Friday, Feb. 13, Kendalyn\u2019s school, Bluff Ridge Elementary in Syracuse, announced this honor to her classmates during an assembly where she received an official Children\u2019s Miracle Network medal, which she promptly checked to see if it was chocolate.<\/p>\n

Intermountain Health Foundation caregivers, Children\u2019s Miracle Network representatives, her family, her Intermountain Primary Children\u2019s Hospital care team, her teachers, and classmates all celebrated Kendalyn with confetti canyons, cheers, and giant cardboard cut-outs of her face.<\/p>\n

Kendalyn has been a patient at Intermountain Primary Children\u2019s Hospital since she was born.<\/p>\n

She was diagnosed with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), a rare gastrointestinal disorder that can cause severe complications. She has complete intestinal failure and is unable to eat, so she receives nutrition through a central line that helps her grow and live an active life.<\/p>\n

Kendalyn remains positive and embraces life. She is often seen with her medical alert dog Reggie, a standard poodle who often wears a blue or pink vest, pink bows, and painted toenails. She\u2019s interested in becoming a veterinarian, a doctor, or a child life specialist.<\/p>\n

\u201cI pretty much have done random things my whole life at Primary Children\u2019s, but that doesn\u2019t stop me from having fun,\u201d Kendalyn said. \u201cI go to ballet, I go to Disney, I\u2019ve done Nutcracker, I play with my friends. I do all that fun stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as she can achieve whatever goal she sets,\u201d said Rob Illu, Kendalyn\u2019s dad, \u201cI think that would be a win.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2025, Kendalyn was chosen to be Intermountain Primary Children\u2019s Hospital local patient champion, now she will get to share her story nationally. Intermountain Children\u2019s Health leaders are excited for Kendalyn to experience the huge honor, representing all the children who are cared for at Intermountain Primary Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n

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