For 9-year-old Hannah Bilton, the last few years have been a whirlwind.

At the age of five, she was diagnosed with leukemia and, for the next several months, the bright-eyed girl underwent grueling tests and treatments.

The story of her battles and successes have touched the hearts of many, and she’s received state and national attention.

On Monday, Hannah’s story and smiling face were released on 17-ounce Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal boxes distributed to Food Lion and its sister stores, including Reid’s, Blooms and Bottom Dollar. About 175,000 boxes featuring Hannah were released.

“Everyone knows about it,” Hannah said. It was even announced over the intercom at Edisto Elementary School.

The cereal boxes featuring Hannah were nearly sold out at Reid’s in Orangeburg on Monday. The family purchased the final two boxes and were promised more would be on the way.

“I am sold out?” Hannah asked with some surprise. “How am I sold out?”

For every four boxes sold, Kellogg’s will donate $1 – up to $100,000 – to the Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals.

A portion of the sales will go to the Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital where Hannah received her care.

The cereal box was released to stores Monday. An official press conference announcing the box will be held this afternoon at a Food Lion in Columbia.

Tony the Tiger and Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital’s Richie Raccoon are scheduled to unveil the boxes. Hannah’s pediatrician, Dr. Tracy Macpherson, will be in attendance.

Hannah’s mom, Wendy, said while the recognition is good, the benefits far exceed the recognition.

“This will be able to help kids medically like her,” she said.

Wendy and Hannah battled cancer together. Within the same week of her daughter’s diagnosis, Wendy was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The two were undergoing cancer treatments together. Now both are in remission.

Hannah still goes to Palmetto Health every two months for a checkup. Over the next eight years, visits will be spread further apart until all is clear.

Her father, Jason, said the past few years, especially 2006, were difficult -- a blur.

“We have come a long way since then,” Jason said. “Not many kids can say they were on the back of a cereal box. She is deserving of it. She has been through a lot for a young kid.”

Hannah was recognized in March as the 2009 South Carolina Champion through the Children’s Miracle Network’s Champions Across America program. The program spotlights children who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges.

Earlier this year, Hannah also joined other child ambassadors from every state during a week-long trip to Orlando, Fla., for CMN’s event at Walt Disney World. She then traveled to Washington to visit Capitol Hill, meet with President Barack Obama and share her story as a representative of the 17 million children treated at CMN hospitals across the nation each year.

CMN officials say it is the first time the organization has had a child recognized by its program on a cereal box.

“We are very excited about the wonderful resource we have in the Midlands-Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital,” said Mims Goza, director Palmetto Health Foundation Children’s Miracle Network. “Our children’s hospital treats more than 80,000 children from all over South Carolina each year, and for one of our patients to be featured on Frosted Flakes boxes in all Food Lion stores is a testament to the great things that are done at our Children’s Hospital.

“We also are excited for Hannah and the wonderful opportunity she has to tell her story.”

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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