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.

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.

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. 

When Lilly was only seven, she began experiencing bizarre symptoms, including a bloody nose that wouldn’t stop and unexplained bruises all over her body. Doctors initially believed she had Leukemia, but after months of testing, Lilly was diagnosed with aplastic anemia — a rare but serious blood disorder that occurs when bone marrow is unable to produce enough new blood cells. Doctors at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital helped Lilly through years of treatment, including treating her with medications, blood transfusions, and eventually a bone marrow transplant. Lilly is now 18 years old and is in remission thanks to the care she received at her children’s hospital. Lilly is a freshman at Davenport University studying to become a nurse practitioner. She hopes to one day work at the very hospital where she received care. Lilly says she is excited to reunite with some of the familiar faces who supported her through it all, but this time not as a patient, but as a practitioner.

After 4-year-old Livia had a hard fall on concrete while playing basketball with her dad and sister, she got up and dusted herself off. But soon after, she threw up, and her parents took her to Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota, to be safe. They realized they’d made the right decision by bringing her in because the fall fractured her skull bone, causing blood to pool over her brain. Livia’s team of brilliant and caring doctors immediately performed surgery, stopping the internal bleeding and saving her life. After one overnight stay, Livia was cleared to go home. Livia has thrived since her procedure, beginning school and perfecting her bike riding. Her parents say she has experienced no lasting effects from her injury and is full of energy, all because of the care she received at the Mayo Clinic.

Mia was born five weeks early with only a 10 percent survival rate. She was soon diagnosed with Epstein Anomaly, a rare congenital heart defect. During Mia’s first eleven months of life, experts performed several surgeries and procedures to alleviate her frequent strokes and cardiac arrests. Doctors said she was one of the sickest newborns they had ever seen. But then something extraordinary happened. Mia celebrated her first birthday and then her second and third. And this year, she turned thirteen. Her team never gave up and provided frequent care during her first five years of life. Thanks to their care, Mia continues to reach remarkable milestones—inside and outside the hospital. When Mia turned ten years old, she and her family celebrated by raising money to support the development of innovative medical devices for patients with congenital heart disease. Now a teenager, Mia truly defies all odds. She still deals with health challenges, but her care team’s support at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital enables her to live an active, fulfilled life.