Our patients' stories

Clavicle Fracture and Recovery: Jake’s Story
Successful surgery to repair a broken collarbone kept Jake’s hopes of becoming a professional race car driver alive.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and CAR T-Cell Therapy: Asa’s Story
Diagnosed with leukemia at 3 months old, Asa received a revolutionary therapy that was pioneered at CHOP.

Diffuse Hyperinsulinism: Omar’s Story
After three months of searching for answers, Omar’s family found a diagnosis — and hope, at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

From Portland to Philly: Bubba’s Journey with Chylopericardium
When an active 11-year-old suffered from a rare lymphatic disorder, his military family traveled to CHOP for the expert care he needed.

Neuroblastoma: Ellie’s Story
As a newborn, Ellie spent time in CHOP’s NICU. When she developed symptoms that led to a cancer diagnosis, the family knew that CHOP was the right place for care.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Treatment Before Birth: Hendrix’s Story
When their unborn baby was diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), Alyssa and Louis turned to CHOP for treatment before and after birth.

Interstitial Lung Disease: Quinn’s Story
From Chicago to Philadelphia: Parents of ailing teen go the distance for CHOP pulmonologist’s unique expertise.

ADHD and Emotional Control: Theo’s Story
Theo, a fifth grader, receives his behavioral healthcare in the same place where he receives his education: at school.

Evan’s Story: Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat Complex Movement Disorders
There was no “book” Ellen could refer to for medical guidance on her son, Evan, who has a rare genetic mutation.

X-linked Lymphoproliferative Disease 1: Rafi’s Story
Genetic sequencing revealed that Rafi had an extremely rare, often fatal disease — and the discovery was amazingly made before he had serious symptoms.

Achilles tendon rupture and repair: Zoe’s story
After CHOP successfully treated Zoe’s ruptured Achilles tendon, the 17-year-old is headed to college on a full athletic scholarship.

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder: Rohan’s Story
Rohan, 13, isn’t sure what path he wants to take in the future — athlete, engineer, architect, analytics or maybe some creative pursuit — but what he does know is that he’ll be successful because of the guidance he’s received from Jenelle Nissley-Tsiopinis, PhD, a psychologist in Center for the Management of ADHD at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome: Elizabeth’s Story
Born with a rare condition affecting her bone marrow, 2-year-old Elizabeth has large care teams at CHOP and her local hospital who coordinate to keep her growing and happy.

Brain Tumor: Devon’s Story
Devon underwent surgery, chemotherapy and proton therapy for a brain tumor the size of a softball. Within months, she started college and made the Dean’s List.

Success with Less-invasive Treatment for Pulmonary Hypoplasia: Lucy’s Story
Lucy was born with small lungs and critical breathing challenges. The care she received at CHOP prepared her to go home with minimal breathing support.

Surgery for Cleft Lip and Palate: Dan’s Story
As an adopted toddler, Dan came from China to CHOP, where for the next 18 years the multidisciplinary cleft palate team provided peak care, including multiple surgeries.
Sara's Story: Surgery to Treat Epilepsy
Sara lived with seizures until age 9. Her family flew 7,000 miles from United Arab Emirates so she could undergo epilepsy surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Every day since, Sara has told her mom how happy she is to have had the procedure.

MELAS Syndrome: Gina’s and Her Family’s Story
CHOP provides the answer to 26-year mitochondrial disease mystery to parents grateful for closure in their daughter’s death.

Congenital Hyperinsulinism: Isaac’s and Levi’s Story
When a rare disorder was diagnosed in two of their children, the Linares family found hope and expertise at CHOP.

Congenital Hyperinsulinism: Dominique’s story
Endocrinologists in New York didn’t have the knowledge of hyperinsulinism to help Dominique, 30, so she came to CHOP for treatment that controlled her HI.