Our patients' stories

Heart Transplant: Makai’s Story
A diagnosis of heart failure stunned Makai and his family. After a heart transplant and many dire health emergencies, he’s back to being an energetic teen.

Casting to Treat Scoliosis and Foot Deformities: Paisley’s Story
Paisley’s foot and spine deformities were identified early, allowing CHOP clinicians to use braces and casts to fix her condition, instead of surgical correction.

New hospital will simplify families’ lives when kids need multiple surgeries
Between them, siblings Emmalyn and Carson have needed surgical procedures involving the feet, hands, and jaw, all of which will be offered at CHOP’s King of Prussia hospital.

Growing up with spina bifida: Valerie’s story
Valerie, now 20 and pursuing a career in video game design, has been followed by CHOP’s Spina Bifida Program for most of her life.

Hyperinsulinism and Turner Syndrome: Aliza’s Story
It was only after Aliza’s parents brought her to CHOP that she received expert care for her two diagnoses: Turner syndrome and hyperinsulinism.

Multicentric Castleman Disease, PRES and Immune Dysregulation: Joey's Story
Small, flu-like symptoms quickly worsened for 13-year-old Joey, causing his organs to fail and his family to desperately search for help with his rare disease.

Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: GP’s Story
When GP arrived at CHOP, he was one of the sickest systemic arthritis patients his rheumatologist had even seen. Today, GP is home and enjoying kindergarten.

‘KOP Makes My Day More Predictable’: Alex’s Family’s Story
With a rare genetic syndrome, 15-month-old Alex is followed by multiple specialists. When the appointments are at King of Prussia, his mother feels relief and certainty.

Saving Thaxton’s thumb: Treatment for thumb hypoplasia
When doctors suggested amputating Thaxton’s non-functioning thumb, his family sought alternative treatments – and hope – at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis during the COVID-19 crisis: Sean’s story
Sean and his family trusted CHOP's Orthopedic Center to perform spine surgery to correct Sean’s worsening scoliosis in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pancreatitis: Alexis' Story
Diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, Alexis, now 17, found treatment and renewed hope at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Reversing Severe Lymphatic Disorder Caused by Noonan Syndrome: Maria’s Story
Facing a future of recurring internal bleeding, Maria tried an experimental drug. It completely remodeled her lymphatic channels and stopped the bleeding.

Liver Transplant: Josie’s Story
As a baby, Josie received a liver transplant. This began a 10-year journey that included bonding with her donor’s family and a generous gift to help future transplant patients.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair: Lillian Jane’s CDH Story, Prenatal Diagnosis to Home
This video follows one family’s journey from prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) through delivery and CDH surgery to discharge home.

Lupus Nephritis: Abbie's Story
After 10-year-old Abbie was diagnosed with lupus, her family became dedicated advocates for lupus research.

Food Allergies and Oral Immunotherapy: Kadin's Story
After years of avoiding nuts due to food allergies, Kadin can now eat them – thanks to oral immunotherapy at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Immune Dysregulation: Andrea's Story
When Andrea, 10, began having vision problems, there's no way her family could have predicted the complex diagnostic journey they were about to embark upon.

Oral Teratoma and Cleft Palate: Stella’s Story
An oral tumor formed before birth caused Stella’s cleft palate, but CHOP surgeons expertly corrected both conditions. Now she’s babbling away.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Adam’s Story
Prone to complications and struggling with late effects, a childhood leukemia survivor is diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Henry’s Story
When Henry was prenatally diagnosed with spina bifida in the middle of the pandemic, his parents turned to CHOP’s fetal surgery team for help and hope.