Thirteen-year-old Derek Ruth of Malcolm, Nebraska, is a champion to those who know him, both on and off the football field or baseball diamond. While playing in a youth football game on Sept. 6, 2008, Derek sustained a traumatic brain injury. After two surgeries to save Derek's life, he was transferred to Madonna's Inpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation Program.

At first, Derek was so weak, just sitting in a wheelchair was a strain after short periods of time. He was unable to walk, verbally communicate or eat on his own and was not fully aware of his surroundings. He could, however, respond to his parents' questions with a thumbs up or down.

With the help of his Madonna team and support from his family and friends, Derek made incredible progress. He used the body weight support treadmill to relearn proper gait positioning and build strength through repetition, going from struggling to stand with support to walking on his own.

Derek achieved his first goal, leaving the inpatient program in time for Christmas. He returned in January 2009 for outpatient therapy in the Rehabilitation Day Program. He continued to make progress in his physical strength and coordination and focused on his cognitive and communication skills. He was quick with his letterboard, spelling out answers to homework questions in Madonna’s Therapeutic Learning Center and joking with his parents and four brothers.

Today, Derek is 30 years old and one of Madonna’s 2009 Goal Award honorees. He also graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Sociology and now as an author and motivational speaker, he continues to inspire others with his story of perseverance, competitiveness and optimism.

The main purposes of the Ambassador program involves promoting the December 5, Miracle Night for Madonna that will take place at A View at West Shores in Waterloo, NE as well as assist in raising funds for the Technology Showcase portion of the gala.