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Patient Stories

Our patients' stories

sean playing tennis
Patient story

Spina Bifida and Fetal Surgery: Sean's Story

Prenatally diagnosed with myelomeningocele (MMC), the most severe form of spina bifida, Sean Mulligan underwent fetal surgery at CHOP to repair the birth defect.

Patient story

Leg deformity: Matthew's story

Born with a congenital condition that causes an irregular angle of growth to his lower legs and uneven lengths, Matthew Emerick found help from CHOP orthopedist Richard S. Davidson, MD.

gina
Patient story

Idiopathic Scoliosis: Gina's Story

A back brace kept Gina's idiopathic scoliosis in check for years until a growth spurt at age 15. That's when her family sought surgical help from spine experts at CHOP.

Patient story

Childhood Cancer Advocacy: Megan Ward's Story

Megan Ward is the mother of two childhood cancer survivors, Mollie and Grace. Ward's experiences with her two daughters has led her to become an advocate for childhood cancer research. 

hailey
Patient story

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Hailey’s Story

Just two days after complaining that her leg hurt, 2 1/2-year-old Hailey Tamagno was with her family at CHOP getting a shocking diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Patient story

Ewing Sarcoma in the Brain: Jake's Story

When a CT scan showed a tumor in Jake’s brain, he was sent to CHOP immediately for surgery. Doctors diagnosed the mass as Ewing sarcoma, a type of cancerous tumor.

joey
Patient story

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Joey's Story

Joey was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when he was 6 years old. A year later, he and his family participated in the Parkway Run to raise funds for cancer research at CHOP.

carly
Patient story

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia: Carly's Story

At 15, Carly Stephens was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. She received several rounds of chemotherapy at CHOP and today, she's a happy, healthy college student. 

Patient story

Pediatric Lymphoma: Zach’s Story

The Witts were terrified to learn their son's lymphoma had returned. But doctors at CHOP were optimistic about an experimental treatment they believed could save the boy's life.

Patient story

Neuroblastoma: Cole's Story

After undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy for neuroblastoma, Cole had a pediatric stem cell transplant at CHOP. 

Patient story

Relapsed Leukemia: Emily's Story

Emily Whitehead was the first pediatric patient enrolled in an experimental immunotherapy for advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

malcolm
Patient story

Ewing Sarcoma: Malcolm's Story

Malcolm was just 11 when he started to feel pain in his hip. A few months later, he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone tumor, and began treatment at CHOP.

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