Our patients' stories
When Breathing is a Battle: Gabby and Julian’s Journey with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
Preemie twins with chronic infant lung disease find the specialized care they need in the Post-preemie Lung Disease Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Symptomatic bipartite patella: Amy’s story
After successful surgery at CHOP to remove a broken bit of her kneecap, Amy returned to the sport she loved: figure skating, but this time with a new perspective.
Isolated Congenital Asplenia: Cole’s Story
Born without a spleen, Cole faced life-threatening infections before CHOP doctors uncovered the cause. Discover how innovative care helped this 8-year-old thrive.
Tracheomalacia: Bradley’s Story
When Bradley was born, his “seal-like” bark and struggle to breathe were dismissed by local doctors. His family brought him to CHOP for answers and treatment.
High-risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Conor’s Story
Conor would not have survived the leukemia that led to months-long stays in in CHOP’s ICU if not for the teamwork of the doctors who collaborated on his care.
Hearing Her World More Clearly: Kamora’s Journey with Hearing Loss
Two-year-old Kamora was born with hearing loss. Read more to learn how she found her hearing and her voice through hearing aids, sign language and expert care at CHOP.
VACTERL Association: Zuri’s Story
From in-utero detection of spina bifida to treating heart and airway issues linked to VACTERL, CHOP’s multidisciplinary specialists delivered life-saving care to Zuri.
Hypothalamic Glioma: Silas’s Story
After an inoperable brain tumor diagnosis, Silas found hope at CHOP, where innovative insight and precise, collaborative care changed the course of his young life.
Noonan Syndrome: Harper’s Story
Harper has overcome a lot in her young life but her family refuses to let her diagnosis of Noonan syndrome define what she can accomplish.
Guided Care for Complex Needs: Lorenzo’s Journey in the Cardiac Kids Developmental Follow-up Program
At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a child with complex CHD and autism receives the developmental support he needs to thrive.
Cora’s Story: A Family’s Journey With a Rare Kidney Condition
When 6-year-old Cora began experiencing blood in her urine, her family turned to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and found answers and a care team they could trust.
Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome: Eleanor’s Story
Long-delayed AMPS diagnosis put Eleanor on a path to helping others learn about the condition and share their experiences of managing chronic pain.
Sacral Neuromodulation: Jasmine’s Story
Through CHOP’s NEBULA program, a teen with Fowler’s syndrome and constipation gets a sacral nerve stimulator implant and gains independence and confidence.
Pivoting After an ACL Tear: Sierra’s Story
Soccer was Sierra’s everything. Benched by an ACL tear, she wondered if she'd ever step back onto the field. She turned to CHOP for hope.
Polio: Marsha's Story
“Do the Best I Can with What I’ve got”
Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, Marsha lived a normal life, surrounded by loving relatives, including an older sister, whom Marsha just adored. “She was almost like a mother to me because she was so much older,” says Marsha.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Cora’s Story
A groundbreaking clinical trial at CHOP used precision medicine to put 12-year-old Cora’s rare thyroid cancer in remission – and got her back to gymnastics.
CHOP Research Hero
At just 6 years old, Kyrie was diagnosed with a rare cancer and his family faced a decision. Pursue typical treatment, or participate in a clinical trial. They chose the trial and Kyrie is thriving while helping advance care for other children like him.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis and Scoliosis: Eilyn’s story
Eilyn went from being paralyzed to swimming with dolphins with the help of multiple doctors and therapists across Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
From ‘Black Clouds’ to a Bright Future: Charlie’s Journey with Focal Cortical Dysplasia
When drug-resistant seizures take over their son’s life, a family turns to pediatric epilepsy surgery in the Neuroscience Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Leading with Love: The Mom Behind CHOP’s Powerhouse Fundraiser
When her son Baron was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, Kim Burd turned her family’s journey at CHOP into the inspiration behind the Powerhouse Fundraiser—a movement uniting families, doctors, and donors to fuel lifesaving research.