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
Growing healthy and strong with life-saving transfusions
At only eight years old, Noah has spent more time in the hospital than most people do in a lifetime. Born with Cooley’s anemia, a blood disorder that prevents the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, Noah relies on bi-weekly blood transfusions at Kentucky Children’s Hospital to stay healthy and strong. At every visit, Noah gets an antibody screening to ensure the donor blood is a perfect match and then undergoes the transfusion through a permanent port in his chest. As he receives each transfusion, Noah builds Lego creations, plays games, and visits all his friends in the DanceBlue Clinic—a student-run organization that fundraises for the hospital’s hematology and oncology practice. Through the DanceBlue Clinic, Noah gets to hang out with the student volunteers and has made countless friends, finding a second home at his children’s hospital. Thanks to the compassionate care he receives, Noah is growing healthy and strong! He loves to swim, play with his sisters, and spend hours building his favorite toy, Legos!
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From resident to advocate for young adults with complex conditions
Stephanie has lived most of her life at Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, starting her journey there at just three months old. Since she was born, she’s faced immense medical challenges, including spina bifida, Arnold-Chiari malformation, neurogenic bladder, and hydrocephalus. Despite enduring numerous painful and high-risk surgeries, Stephanie’s courage and love for music and art have helped her through her toughest moments. Now, at 26, she is a vibrant young woman, known for her stylish outfits and exuberant personality. As Elizabeth Seton Children’s International Spokesperson, volunteer, and an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of New York, Stephanie advocates tirelessly for young adults with complex medical needs who age out of pediatric care and face uncertain futures. She is a role model, demonstrating that life is full of possibilities. Stephanie is now focused on raising awareness for a future young adult center to ensure young adults with medically complex conditions like her can receive the care they need to reach their fullest potential.
How a new treatment helped halt Mayia’s tumor growth
When four-year-old Mayia stopped using her right side, her parents were immediately concerned and took her to Children’s Mercy Kansas City. There, Mayia’s medical team discovered she had a tumor with two cysts pushing on the left side of her brain, interfering with her right-side mobility. The tumor, a metastatic ganglioglioma, proved too difficult to remove through brain surgery and did not respond to chemotherapy. Mayia’s doctor wanted to try a new drug combination, but the medications weren’t on the market yet. Her dedicated care team worked hard to petition the drug company and the FDA for approval. Once they were approved, Mayia could use the new medications as part of a research trial. Mayia’s tumor responded well to the treatment, and she finally started feeling like herself again. The FDA recently approved the drugs for public use, so Mayia and her family can now receive the prescriptions from the pharmacy. Mayia has been on the medications for over a year, and it’s fully halted her tumor growth! In another year, her care team will taper her off the medications and continue to monitor the tumor’s response. Today, she’s an outgoing six-year-old who loves playing outside, going on walks, and hanging out with her older brothers.
John J.’s seemingly impossible journey forward
Just days after birth, doctors diagnosed John Josiah with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and scoliosis. They told John J.’s parents that he would never be able to walk, talk, or even eat on his own. However, when the family moved to Texas, their luck took a turn. John J. began care at the Driscoll Children’s Hospital, and it gave more hope than they had ever been given. Years and years of treatment, combined with John J.’s incredible determination, led to what doctors said to be impossible. John J. walked, started talking, and he began to live a fuller life. Now, at 18 years old, John J. has reached another momentous milestone: walking the stage at his high school graduation! Through it all, his bright smile has never faded. Thanks to his dedicated care team and John J.’s resilience, he has grown into a strong young man who continues to defy all expectations.
Lifesaving heart transplant brings bright future for Mikari
Mikari was just 2-years-old when she visited Loma Linda University Children’s Health for an enlarged heart. Her doctors determined she had heart failure and diagnosed her with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle and hinders its pumping ability. At first, Mikari’s treatment involved medication and monitoring, but two years later, doctors determined that she needed a new heart. While she was waiting for a heart transplant, her team gave her a mechanical ventricular assist device to keep her heart pumping. As her care team continued to monitor her, they set up scavenger hunts, dance parties, and fun activities to keep her busy during the stressful waiting period. Then, five months later, a heart became available. The next day, Mikari underwent a successful surgery. After a few weeks of additional monitoring, Mikari was discharged. Today, she is a vibrant six-year-old girl who loves school and dreams of traveling the world. Mikari continues to visit Loma Linda University Children’s Health for routine check-ups and is thriving with her new, healthy heart.
Language Access Services support Maria and Miguel through cancer treatment
At only 2-years-old, Miguel was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare form of cancer that most commonly appears in toddlers and children. Having a child diagnosed with a rare cancer is any parent’s nightmare, but Miguel’s mother, Maria, had an additional stressor: she didn’t speak English. Maria worried that the language barrier would prevent her from helping Miguel get the care he needed to fight the disease. But to Maria’s astonishment, ECU Health Medical Center — the hospital treating Miguel — had a Language Access Services team that helped translate and interpret, which allowed Maria to understand the treatment process. Maria said the translator and interpretation services supported her immensely, helping her learn how to properly give medications to Miguel and clarifying the many questions she had throughout the treatment. Now, Miguel is cancer-free and shines as a happy, 6-year-old boy who loves to play and jump around.
Even a double diagnosis can’t dim Samantha’s spirit
When Samantha first started kindergarten, her mom, Vicki, noticed she wasn’t acting like herself. Her unusual behavior led to an emergency room visit where doctors discovered her glucose level was dangerously high. Samantha was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and within months came another difficult diagnosis: celiac disease. Samantha, however, stayed strong. Under the care and guidance of her team at Dayton Children’s Hospital, Samantha has learned to manage her life-altering conditions with extraordinary resilience. Throughout the seven years of her health journey, she has become a pro at continuous glucose monitoring and mastered the four daily insulin shots and strict demands that a gluten-free lifestyle requires. Her family rallied behind her, helping her carefully plan every meal and taking every step possible to prevent cross-contamination. Through it all, Samantha’s bright spirit has never dimmed. She proves that even in the face of complex health challenges, you can live a full, joyous life.
