Bolton’s Bravery
With specialized, comprehensive care in hospitals tailored to the unique needs of pediatric patients, children’s hospitals help children and teens like Bolton defy the odds.
Joe Cascio
Our Stories
Every day, children’s hospitals help make moments possible. From providing access to the comprehensive care that children need to grow up to supporting children, teens, and their families with specialized treatment for some of the most complex illnesses. Discover more about the moments made possible by children’s hospital through patient stories from around the country.
Video Stories
Isaac’s Impact
Children’s hospitals provide advanced care for the most complex conditions in environments specially designed for pediatric patients, allowing children like Isaac to thrive.
Cami’s Courage
The specialized multidisciplinary teams at children’s hospitals ensure that children and teens – like Cami – can beat multiple complex conditions like cancer and heart failure.
Joseph’s Journey
The advanced, specialized care that children’s hospitals provide make moments – like Joseph beating pediatric brain cancer – possible.
Daniella’s Drive
With care delivered by specially trained pediatric clinicians, in environments designed just for children, children’s hospitals help children and teens – like Daniella – navigate complex medical conditions.
Featured Story
Innovative treatments keep Harlow smiling
Just weeks before 2-year-old Harlow was supposed to head to Jamaica to be the flower girl at her parents’ wedding, her mother noticed that her usually energetic daughter had developed a cough and grown lethargic. Her care team suggested she may have a mild viral infection and also suspected a heart murmur. But during the trip, Harlow’s condition began to worsen. The family flew her home and took her to UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, where a blood test revealed she had a rare form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. As Harlow prepared for her inpatient stay at Comer Children’s, her family was comforted not only by her oncology team’s confidence but also by the investigative therapies and established treatments offered by leukemia specialists. Harlow’s smile never dimmed, and she remained resilient even when an uncommon chemo allergy required her to be intubated. Twenty-eight months later, she rang the bell to signify the end of her cancer treatment. Today, Harlow is a healthy 5-year-old who loves to cook with her family and watch “Family Feud.” Even better, she’s still smiling.
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Leo’s remarkable recovery
Because of a rare condition called Ebstein’s anomaly, Leo was born with a malfunctioning heart. His mother, Jessica, spent the first few weeks of his life consulting with physicians across the country, with some telling her there was no solution. Refusing to accept this answer Jessica kept searching, and soon arrived at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital with 7-week-old Leo. Here, a cardiologist discovered a rare issue on top of his Ebstein’s anomaly. In most cases, the right side of the heart doesn’t function, but the left side works and supports the right. However, in Leo’s situation, neither side was fully functioning because of a large hole on the left side of his heart. The hospital’s surgical team performed a complex surgery to close the hole and restore function on the right side of the heart. Leo had a remarkable recovery and was discharged from the hospital less than two weeks after surgery. Today, Leo is healthy and happy, with his heart functioning in a normal range. Cardiologists will continue to monitor his heart, but he will most likely never need heart surgery again.
Miracle twins with rare heart defects go home healthy
From a young age, Tracey knew her very rare congenital heart condition would prevent her from safely giving birth. However, she aspired to be a mother, and through in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, a gestational surrogate was able to carry her twins. The twins were at high risk of developing heart defects because of Tracey’s condition, and a 12-week ultrasound revealed that both twins, Riley and Emery, would be born with congenital heart defects. Immediately after they were born, the twins were rushed to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where they received different procedures to support their unique heart conditions. Doctors determined that Riley would need heart surgery in the near future, and Emery would require surgery or catheterization once she’s four or five years old. The twins soon began recovering from their initial treatments and were able to go home just in time for a family Thanksgiving! Experts at Wolfson will continue to provide care as Riley and Emery grow up, ensuring they live vibrant and happy lives.
A school’s mental health program helps Christian face grief
Christian had just turned two when his mother tragically passed away from years of battling with drug addiction. His grandmother, Donna, immediately became his guardian and felt helpless watching him struggle to process his grief, which led to trouble eating and even speaking. Once Christian started first grade, he began having traumatic flashbacks of his mother’s death and was having trouble managing those intense emotions. Donna knew Christian needed mental health counseling, but the high cost, months-long wait times, and far distances to care centers made it challenging to access the services he needed. Fortunately, Christian’s school has a school-based health center through Nemours Children’s Health, allowing him to talk to a therapist down the hall from his classroom. This program brought peace of mind to Donna and helped her understand Christian’s grief. It’s important to remember that grief often comes in waves, and people process it in their own unique ways. Programs like Nemours’ clinic break down barriers to mental health care access, ensuring kids receive the care they need to process new emotions and life events.
Finland overcomes clubfoot and becomes star athlete
At only ten years old, Finland has worn so many foot casts that they fill a giant box at his house. This is because Finland was born with a significant congenital clubfoot abnormality on both feet. Luckily, he never needed foot surgery. Instead, his primary doctor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital took a non-surgical route involving a series of cast corrections and braces to gradually correct his clubfoot. Nearly every week after Finland was born, he returned to the hospital for a new cast. Then, from 18 months to four years old, he only had to wear the boots while he slept. Once he was four, he was done with the braces and immediately took advantage of his functioning feet. From playing basketball and football to joining the wrestling team, Finland has become quite the athlete who’s always setting goals for himself. Now, Finland visits Cincinnati once a year for cast corrections, which he then wears for three weeks at a time. And at every annual visit, Finland sets a new goal to achieve over the next year!
Thriving with Cleft Lip and Palate Thanks to MUSC
Caitlin’s pregnancy with Jack was going well until a 20-week ultrasound revealed cleft lip and palate. After learning that this condition can cause problems with feeding and speaking, among other complications, Caitlin and her husband Patrick were scared for what the future might hold. Thankfully, they found a doctor at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital who walked them through all the surgeries, speech therapy, and other treatments Jack would need. But as Caitlin neared her due date, she was diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder, causing Jack to be born early at 36 weeks. He spent his first three weeks in the NICU, and after he came home, he prepared for his two cleft surgeries. The surgeries went well, and now, as a toddler, Jack is an adorable curly-haired boy who is developing and talking normally. Jack will continue to visit the team at MUSC to combat any complications that may occur as he grows and develops.
Neonatal follow-up clinic sets up Carlos for a happy and healthy life
After working with medically fragile infants as an emergency room tech, Bree McCarty was quickly inspired to become a foster parent for children with unique health needs. She and her husband, Tim, began fostering 4-month-old Carlos. While they didn’t have much information about Carlos’ complex medical needs, Mary Bridge Children’s neonatal follow-up clinic discovered he had hydrocephalus and was missing part of his brain. Carlos underwent multiple surgeries, including surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain and open-heart surgery. He also received a G-tube for nutrition. Carlos graduated from the neonatal follow-up clinic at 3 years old. Shortly after, the McCarty family celebrated Carlos’ long-awaited adoption and are thrilled to continue their life together. Continuing his care journey, Carlos works with therapists at the Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy – Puyallup and is now a bubbly 5-year-old who is thriving. Carlos is learning to walk and loves kindergarten, his siblings, and making people laugh. His parents say his adorable dimples help him get away with goofing around!
