33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, FL.

During their 20-week ultrasound, Akosua and Fernando learned that their baby had spina bifida. Determined to explore all options, they reached out to the Fetal Care Center at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies after learning the hospital offered in-utero surgery for babies with this diagnosis. Within a week, Akosua started an evaluation to see if she and her baby were suitable for in-utero surgery, and thankfully, they were. At 25 weeks into her pregnancy, Akosua underwent surgery to correct the defect in Celeste’s spine. Seven weeks later, Celeste was born, weighing 4 pounds, 10 ounces. After a short stay in the neonatal intensive care unit to ensure her health, she was able to go home. Now, at five years old, Celeste is thriving. She walks on her own and enjoys gymnastics, swimming and playing with her sister. Celeste is smart, playful, determined and kind. Celeste goes to weekly physical therapy, and as she grows, she will continue to receive care at the Spina Bifida Clinic at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helped fund the fetal surgery program and the state-of-the-art ultrasound machine used to detect spina bifida in kids like Celeste.

Treated at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Hudson Valley, NY.

Camryn was diagnosed with Sickle Cell disease three weeks after birth. For most of her life, her disease had been managed. Four years ago, Camryn was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease (a narrowing of blood vessels in the brain). Her sickled blood cells would only complicate this condition. Camryn was in need of a stem cell transplant and her oldest sister, Skylar, was selected as her donor. Camryn was admitted to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Skylar’s stem cells were harvested and transplanted into Camryn. It was inspiring for her family to witness this life-saving exchange among sisters! Camryn was hospitalized for 88 days and she found solace in the extraordinary care, and encouragement she received before, during and after her transplant. Today Camryn is feeling great and is an incredible advocate for the care she received at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Camryn received care and support as she underwent a stem cell transplant at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Treated at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI/New Bedford, MA.

At 18 weeks gestation, London’s parents wanted to find out their baby’s gender. A high-level ultrasound soon confirmed that their baby was a girl--and that she would be born with spina bifida. Her parents did everything they could to learn about the diagnosis in preparation. Dr. Petra Klinge, a neurosurgeon at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, not only reassured them, but she also gave them hope. The day after London was born, Dr. Klinge performed an intricate eight-hour surgery to close the skin and spinal cord on the tiny newborn’s spine. When London was still not walking at 18 months, early intervention specialists advised her parents to consider leg braces and a walker, but instead they turned to Hasbro’s Pediatric Rehabilitation team and continued physical therapy. Just after turning two years old, London got up and walked across the room for the first time on her own. Now nine years old, London loves to dance and play soccer, and she is training for a Black Belt. She continues to amaze everyone with her vibrant smile and personality.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helped London get the support of her local pediatric rehabilitation program.