On Wednesday, November 10, 2010, people across Maryland will wear Miracle Ties as a sign of their support for the pediatric patients at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Maryland’s largest pediatric hospital and state-designated pediatric trauma center. The Jos. A. Bank Clothiers’ Miracle Collection® is in stores now.

The Miracle Collection® is a line of distinguished men’s neckwear that ties together pediatric research and patient care with fashion by raising funds for Hopkins Children’s. Each year, pediatric patients are asked to draw one of their favorite things and submit their art for a chance to be a Miracle Tie designer. From dogs to dreidels and fish to football, this year’s collection speaks to all interests. 

 Miracle Ties® are available at Jos. A. Bank Clothiers stores and online at www.josbank.com. 

2010 Miracle Collection® Patient Biographies:

“Football”
by Patrick Aron Craig of Pasadena, MD.

Ten-year-old Patrick was diagnosed with atypical Crohn’s disease when he was 4 years old. He has been spending time at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center ever since. He loves his nurses, and his mom says he is treated like gold every time he is there. Patrick is very active and loves sports. He’s also a huge Baltimore Ravens fan and loves going to the games with his family. 

“Fish”
by Alexis “Lexi” Dembeck of Baltimore, MD. 

Diagnosed with leukemia on Thanksgiving Day 2007, ten-year-old Lexi had her “End of Chemo” party at Hopkins Children’s in May 2010. She is happy to be done with her treatments, but she will miss the playroom and Hospital Bingo. Lexi is talented with water-themed artwork. Last year, her crab drawing inspired a Jos. A. Bank Miracle Tie.  

“ABC 123”
by Va’Sean Ikeem Duvall of Baltimore, MD.

Eighteen-year-old Va’Sean has been coming to Hopkins Children’s since he was 9 months old because of his severe chronic asthma. He has had 16 stays in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and more than 60 multi-night stays in the main hospital. Despite all of this, he is a hardworking young man who loves theater and dreams of someday performing on Broadway.  

“Snow Tree”
by Madison Hafetz of Linwood, NJ.

Seven-year-old Madison was diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) in July 2009. As a result, she must get weekly infusions to help boost her immunity. She travels to Baltimore regularly for treatment and follow up at Hopkins Children’s. This experience has inspired Madison to become a doctor. She hopes to someday invent a pill to replace the infusions, so other kids won’t have to have needles in their bellies like she did. 

“Dog”
by Gavin Kiener of Potomac, MD.

In 2007, 10-year-old Gavin finished his treatments for a rare form of cancer called mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. He still comes to Hopkins Children’s for his follow-up appointments. Today, he is healthy and active. He plays soccer, hockey and saxophone. His time playing video games during treatments has inspired him to be a video game designer when he grows up.
 

“Monkeys”
by Anthony Pagan of Baltimore, MD.

After three years of treatments at Hopkins Children’s for his leukemia, 5-year-old Anthony is expected to complete his chemo treatments in 2010. He loved participating in Child Life activities like Hospital Bingo and playing with the toys and games in the playroom while he was at the hospital. In fact, one of his favorite games inspired this monkey tie.
 

“Santa with Bag”
by Waverly Phillips of Baltimore, MD. 

Seventeen-year-old Waverly has been treated by the urology group at Hopkins Children’s since he was six years old. He loves working with the Child Life Specialists on art projects. Just give him a pen and paper, and he will create a work of art, which is why it’s no surprise that Waverly wants to be a professional artist someday. 

“Holidays”
by Lilah Raven Sidle of Cockeysville, MD. 

Eight-year-old Lilah comes to Hopkins Children’s every three weeks for eight-hour infusions to help her with a very rare form of anemia. Lilah is now quite good at working with dolls used by Child Life Specialists to demonstrate medical procedures. She gives them the same infusions she gets, and her Child Life Specialists help by providing “IV fluids” for the dolls. Every time Lilah gets a new medical play doll, she names it after someone special she has met while getting treated at Hopkins Children’s.  
 

*Ties are available in additional colors. See www.josbank.com 

JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc., established in 1905, is one of the nation's leading retailers of men's classically-styled tailored and casual clothing, sportswear, footwear and accessories. The Company sells its full product line through 450 stores in 42 states and the District of Columbia, a nationwide catalog and an e-commerce website that can be accessed at www.josbank.com. The Company is headquartered in Hampstead, Md., and its common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "JOSB."