Our patients' stories

Surgical reconstruction for Poland syndrome: Beau's story
Born with Poland syndrome, which caused his fingers to fuse together, Beau underwent surgery to give him the greatest possible function of his left hand.

Fetal Surgery for Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation: Elijah’s Story
Elijah needed a lifesaving surgery while he was still in his mother’s womb. Today, he's an active 6-year-old who loves basketball and T-ball, goes swimming, rides his bike, and rock climbs.

Reading, Writing & Remission
A unique program at CHOP allowed 7-year-old Isabella to attend school at the hospital while also getting radiation treatment for cancer.

Down Syndrome: Aidan's Story
Every day is a new adventure for Aidan, a 1-year-old with Down syndrome who embraces each new challenge with a smile on his face.

Allergic Asthma: Lorenzo's Story
Diagnosed with severe allergic asthma, Lorenzo is no longer sitting on the sidelines. Thanks to biologic therapy at CHOP, he's back in the game.

Spina bifida: Zach’s story
Zach never let his spina bifida hold him back. He wants to make the world a better place and is raising money and awareness for the condition.

Autoimmune Encephalitis: Kayla’s Long Journey to Diagnosis and Recovery
Bewildering symptoms, both physical and behavioral, brought Kayla to CHOP and led to a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, a rare disease when a person’s immune system attacks their brain.

Pulmonary Arterial Venous Fistula: Amelia's Story
Born with a rare heart defect, Amelia received innovative, life-saving treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Asthma and Food Allergies Second Opinion: Nora's Story
For years, Nora's family treated her severe asthma and food allergies as separate conditions, but a new biologic therapy at CHOP is improving both.

Responsive Neurostimulation for Epilepsy: AJ’s Story
AJ’s life was relatively uncomplicated until age 14, when he began to experience unpredictable seizures and received a life-changing diagnosis of epilepsy. Thanks to the combination of a small, battery-powered device surgically implanted into his brain and an oral medication, he is now seizure-free.

Encopresis: Brayden's Story
Brayden struggled with severe constipation and encopresis for years before he got treatment to manage his condition at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Rhabdomyosarcoma: Donors Help Power Kaitlyn’s Fight Against Cancer
Kaitlyn lights up the room with her smile and emanates positivity, despite her battle with rhabdomyosarcoma.

Dextrocardia and Heart Transplant: Matthew's Family Is Grateful for the Generosity of Others
Born with a backward heart on the wrong side of his chest, Matthew received a heart transplant and is now thriving.

Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML): Donor-supported Cancer Research Helps Kaleo Beat Cancer
Kaleo was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a very rare form of cancer. One year after a bone marrow transplant, Kaleo is cancer-free.

Individualized Medical Genetics: Donor-funded Research Helps Camryn Thrive After Rare Brain Malformations
Genetics experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have helped Cortney and Ryan identify their daughter’s rare genetic mutation, leading to improved care.

New Gene Therapy for Inherited Blindness: Donor-supported Research Helped Save Hannah’s Sight
Diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis as a baby, Hannah was on a path to going blind until gene therapy at Children’s Hospital restored her sight.
IgE-mediated Food Allergies: PJ and Alana's Story
Thanks to oral immunotherapy and the Food Allergy Bravery Clinic at CHOP, siblings PJ and Alana can now eat many of the foods that used to produce severe allergic reactions.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Celi’s Story
Diagnosed with autism as a toddler, Celi didn’t say her first word until she was 4. Today, at 14, she loves making art — and performing standup comedy.

Graves' Disease in a Young Boy: Kade's story
Graves’ disease in young boys is rare. But that was the diagnosis for Kade, whose hyperthyroidism caused him to act out, and led his parents to seek treatment at CHOP.

VEPTR Surgery for Skeletal Dysplasia: Grace's Story
A lifesaving treatment at CHOP gave Grace a chance at life, and her family hope for a future with their daughter.