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.
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
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
Pediatric partnership brings Disney magic to Rezen
Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children has been Rezen’s home away from home for more than a year. The 10-year-old was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. Last year, she received a bone marrow transplant and spent months in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Despite these challenges, moments of joy and comfort shine through her journey. When Rezen was nervous before a routine MRI, her child life specialists gave her a Disney Princess-themed Starlight Hospital Gown to add a little magic to her stay. The Walt Disney Company and the nonprofit Starlight Children’s Foundation bring Disney Princess-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns to pediatric hospitals across the nation, helping patients like Rezen feel more comfortable during treatments. Through this long-standing collaboration, Rezen has received numerous princess gowns, building up an impressive collection. In December, Rezen completed her princess collection, receiving a Moana-themed gown, and attended a special private showing of Moana 2, experiencing the movie’s adventure before its official release! Navigating a rare disease comes with immense obstacles, but collaborations like this bring light on difficult days. Disney-themed Starlight programs, along with her care team, help make Rezen and thousands of other pediatric patients feel the magic and inspiration every child deserves.
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Josie defeats ultra-rare cancer with the help of Cincinnati Children’s
At 4 years old, Josie spent her Christmas at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. That hospital stay led to the fight of Josie’s life. Josie was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that can develop anywhere but was even more challenging and rare because it was in her bile duct. After speaking with the Department of Oncology, Brian Turpin, DO, along with other team members, devised a treatment plan that saved her life. Josie underwent 67 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation followed by six months of maintenance chemo. Doctors also used Proton Therapy to decrease her overall exposure to radiation. Josie is now 8 years old and is busy with dance, soccer and basketball. She has been in remission for over two years. And with no evidence of tumor, the chance of the cancer returning is small.
Baby Connor gets a tiny pacemaker
Connor was born prematurely with a complete heart block. The typical medicines used to keep his heart beating were not working. The cardiac team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta took an innovative approach to Connor’s care, using a pediatric pacemaker device that is one of the first of its kind in the world. After the pacemaker was implanted, Connor was out of the ICU in two days. Today, he is a healthy baby, and his pacemaker will be vital for the first couple of years of his life. When is older, they will implant a larger device. Doctors have reassured Connor’s family that he will lead an active life, made possible by pediatric experts and medical innovation.
Sarah Pack, Medical University of South Carolina
South Carolina Doctors Make Hearing Possible for Young Ukraine War Refugee
A family that fled Ukraine last year came to the United States in desperate need of answers – and a miracle. They feared their young daughter, 2-year-old Zlata Kuzmina, was completely deaf. But all hope wasn’t lost. When they settled in South Carolina, a hearing specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina found some function in her right ear. The team at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital surgically placed a cochlear implant in her ear. The surgery was a success, giving Zlata the gift of sound.
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.
Joseph’s Journey
The advanced, specialized care that children’s hospitals provide make moments – like Joseph beating pediatric brain cancer – possible.
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.
