Our patients' stories

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.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): Cora's Story
After learning their baby had CDH, the Pappas family traveled from Tennessee to seek care at CHOP's Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment in Philadelphia.

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.

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.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury: Justin's Story
After an ACL injury sidelined football standout Justin Morrison from New Jersey, surgery and follow-up care at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia put him back on the gridiron.

Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome and Congenital Scoliosis: Keegan's Story
Born with severe chest and spine deformities, Keegan's future looked dim until his parents found Robert M. Campbell, MD, and the innovative VEPTR device he created.
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.

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.

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.

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.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Alex's Story
Born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect, Alex Volz was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 27 months old.

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.

Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia: Coco's Story
Diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia when she was just 3½ months old, Coco had several rounds of chemotherapy and a cord blood transplant at CHOP.
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.

Medulloblastoma (Brain Tumor): Mary's Story
When Mary McKernan was 3 years old, she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare brain cancer. She was treated with surgery and proton therapy at CHOP.

Malignant Nerve Sheath Tumor: Kelsea's Story
Kelsea Henderson started having pain in her side when she was 13 years old. She was diagnosed with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor on her chest wall.
Neuroblastoma: Cole's Story
After undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy for neuroblastoma, Cole had a pediatric stem cell transplant at CHOP.

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and Osteosarcoma: Court's Story
Court has a genetic condition causes tumors and has lost their mom and sister to cancer. After battling the disease, Court is aiming for a degree in social work.

Relapsed Leukemia: Emily's Story
Emily Whitehead was the first pediatric patient enrolled in an experimental immunotherapy for advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

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.