Miss America and a Special Boy make smiles in Vinings

Two very special guests stopped by the in Vinings Thursday to help thank customers of the national drugstore chain for raising more than $50 million for Children's Miracle Network.

While the spotlight might have initially been on Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan, it was 3-year-old Parker Grelecki of Marietta who ultimately shined the brightest.

When Crysie and Ryan Grelecki were expecting Parker, an ultrasound showed he had a larger-than-normal head. He was diagnosed with a skull deformity called craniostenosis and hydrocephalus, which causes excess fluid on the brain. 

At two days old, doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta placed a shunt in his brain to drain the excess fluid, allowing it grow and develop naturally.

Soon after, doctors began a series of craniofacial surgeries to correct the skull malformation. By the time Parker had reached 20 months, he had undergone seven successful surgeries at Children’s and was on his way to a recovery.  

And as evidence by Thursday’s celebration, Parker, a Miracle Child who was helped by some of the money Rite Aid raised, is a very sociable boy who loves to talk and laugh.

He certainly brought a big smile to the face of Scanlan, who in January at age 17 became the first Miss Nebraska to win the title of Miss America while becoming the pageant’s youngest winner in 74 years.

On her facebook page, Scanlan posted, "Incredible morning with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at Rite Aid in Atlanta! Thank you Rite Aid for raising over $50 million for CMN!"

Since 1994, Rite Aid has been an official sponsor of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America.

The funds raised provide highly specialized medical care, fund research for life-saving treatments and cures, and provide outreach and education programs that help prevent injuries and illness.

Rite Aid has raised more than $315,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.