Sometimes saying thank you just isn’t enough.

The smiling face of Maddy Christison, a 7-year-old who has spinal muscular atrophy, greets customers at Speedway convenience store locations in Middle Tennessee. As the most recent Speedway Miracle Child representing Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, her photo has appeared on life-size cardboard cutouts in Speedway’s 21 Middle Tennessee locations with the goal of encouraging customers to help more children like her.

Sight is one of the most critical elements of a normal, happy life. When a child’s eyesight is threatened, his or her future stands to be permanently altered — and parents try to find the best treatment available.

Reunion 2015 was a time to celebrate Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s (VUSN) past, present and future. Founded in 1908, VUSN has more than 9,200 nursing alumni living and working in all 50 states and several countries.

At 6 feet 4 inches, Shea Weber towers over the tiny tots he visits at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, yet it is he who looks up to them.

In 2005, Tennessee philanthropists Jim and Janet Ayers gave $10 million to help Vanderbilt University scientists find early markers for colorectal cancer that could improve diagnosis and potentially save lives.