Piper is the 2026 North Dakota Children's Miracle Network Champion for Sanford Children's. Piper and her family will serve as ambassadors sharing their story throughout 2026. 

Piper is eight years old and has a rare condition called spina bifida - a birth defect that occurs when the spine doesn't close properly during development. She has had multiple surgeries already in her young life due to it, and now uses a wheelchair or walker to get around. 

(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

Piper is the 2026 North Dakota Children's Miracle Network Champion for Sanford Children's. Piper and her family will serve as ambassadors sharing their story throughout 2026.&nbsp;
Piper is eight years old and has a rare condition called spina bifida - a birth defect that occurs when the spine doesn't close properly during development. She has had multiple surgeries already in her young life due to it, and now uses a wheelchair or walker to get around.&nbsp;
(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, &ldquo;News &amp; Views,&rdquo; can be heard weekdays from 8 &ndash; 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp is a multi-award winning program where Joel Heitkamp brings his common sense approach to the issues of the day. From politics to public service announcements and sports to government spending, there is a place in the conversation for everyone.

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp is a multi-award winning program on KFGO in Fargo, North Dakota where Joel Heitkamp brings his common sense approach to the issues of the day in the upper Midwest region. From politics to public service announcements to sports to government spending, there is a place in the conversation for everyone.