33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, CA.

Davey Jean was born with a rare genetic disorder called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q) and was faced with many 22q-related anomalies including congenital heart defects, cleft palate, developmental and speech delays, etc. At 30 weeks in utero, she was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a compilation of four heart defects, and required open-heart surgery soon after her birth. By the time she was three years old, she was still non-verbal and used American Sign Language to communicate. Her parents learned that she had conductive hearing loss and would need ear surgery to help drain the fluid causing it. Davey Jean also went through two complex surgeries for her Atypical Submucosal Cleft Palate, which made it nearly impossible for her to form sounds and words. The ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department at Valley Children’s, along with the plastic surgery, audiology and speech therapy teams, all joined in an effort to help with Davey Jean’s hearing issues and speech delays. Today, she is able to communicate using words. Now ten years old, Davey Jean has already undergone five surgeries at Valley Children’s. She continues to see multiple specialists at Valley Children’s, as well as physical and occupational therapy. She is very active and enjoys playing with her friends and doing gymnastics. She loves going to the park and playing with her toys and her dog, Tater Tot.

Thanks to support from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Davey Jean has been able to get the surgeries and critical care she needed.

Treated at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Lancaster, PA.

When Benjamin was born a month early, medical staff realized immediately that he wasn’t crying or breathing correctly. “Everything that could be wrong with his lungs seemed to be wrong,” said Ben's mom, Danielle. He was transported by a pediatric ambulance that was funded by Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, which had the highest level NICU and a high-oscillating ventilator that could save his life. Because Benjamin’s condition was so critical, a doctor explained that he may need a form of life-support called ECMO, a machine that was also purchased by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “I remember signing the consent for the ECMO and asking the doctor if we have to go to ECMO, and that doesn’t work, is there anything beyond that? And she said no. Knowing that we were at that point was very scary,” shared Danielle. “But he’s a strong guy. He rallied and did so well.” A few weeks later, Benjamin was able to go home, and today is a happy, healthy kid! Benjamin loves baseball, soccer and Cub Scouts. He loves trains, bridges, and building things with Legos. He also loves the Pittsburgh Steelers and got to go to Pittsburgh to attend his first game!

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Benjamin received life-saving care with the use of a pediatric ambulance and ECMO machine, allowing him to live a healthy life.

Treated at UF Health Jacksonville, Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.

While Nathaniel was in utero, several doctors diagnosed him with severe hydrocephalus, heart conditions, and informed his parents he had suffered a stroke. Born at 39 weeks gestation, Nathaniel was the biggest baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. He underwent multiple surgeries over several years and he still faces daily struggles including severe eating, colon, sight, and speech issues. Nathaniel also has cerebral palsy, mitochondria syndrome, and tick disorder. Even with his challenges, Nathaniel remains positive. Today, Nathaniel is ten years old and loves LEGOs and traveling to see family in Germany.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has helped provide many resources like a special shunt for Nathaniel that makes his daily life easier to manage.