Cardiac Center Patient Stories

Tenlee was 3 days old when her family learned reconstructive surgery wouldn't be enough to save her life — she needed a new heart.

Before Zylah was even born, she received a miraculous birthday gift. It wasn’t a frilly dress or a pretty doll, but a heart procedure developed for extremely premature babies, just like her.

When seemingly healthy Angy-Mike was diagnosed with cardiac disease, his family was shocked. A new heart got this high school wrestler back on the mat.

As an infant, Owen needed three open-heart surgeries. As a teen, he needed a new kidney — which his mother donated.

Cherish’s rare and extremely serious heart condition went undiagnosed for years. CHOP experts gave Cherish and her family, at first, hope, and then a new heart.

Born with a severe congenital heart defect, 17-year-old Brendan is now an accomplished swimmer after treatment from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Michael, 5, is meeting all his developmental milestones after surgeries for a severe heart defect. He was closely monitored by the Cardiac Kids Developmental Follow-up Program at CHOP.

Doctors and genetic researchers at CHOP teamed up to find the gene mutation responsible for Daniel's painful lymphatic disorder, and successfully treat it.

Ryan had no idea anything was wrong with his heart. But a frightening diagnosis meant he had to take a break from sports to fight for his life.

Diagnosed with chylothorax at birth, Lucas needed expert lymphatic care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to survive.