33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, MN.

Twelve-year-old ZaLayaa has experienced a variety of sensory and complex medical conditions since she was an infant. Her symptoms have impacted her daily life, and to this day, their underlying cause remains a mystery. Over the years, her family has actively sought answers from doctors, heard different theories, and tried numerous treatments. Once they made it to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, her mom says “that made a world of difference.” Gillette’s medical team brought a new approach to ZaLayaa’s care. Rather than focusing on solving the puzzle of her diagnosis, her care team addresses the real-life issues ZaLayaa was facing every day. Now, she sees more than 25 different providers at Gillette, receiving comprehensive evaluations with pediatric medicine and rehabilitation specialists, along with numerous physical and occupational therapy appointments. Gillette’s therapeutic recreation specialists have allowed her to enjoy an accessible playground and an adaptive bicycle. She has been waterskiing, run from third base to home plate at a Minnesota Twins game, and impressed fellow golfers with her swing on the course.

The support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has allowed ZaLayaa to reach new milestones on her health journey with innovative complex care teams and Therapeutic Recreation.

Treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.

Isabelle (Belle) was adopted from China when she was 19 months old. Her parents knew she had a potentially devastating blood disorder called thalassemia, but they were comforted that a top ten children’s hospital would be waiting for them when they got home. Doctors at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh began treatment right away. Since she had beta thalassemia major, the most severe form of thalassemia, Belle had a mediport placed and began a routine of ongoing blood transfusions. To mitigate the risk of an iron overload, which could affect her liver and heart, she takes two medications every morning and every evening. Today, Belle is a happy 12-year-old who loves her hospital days because she gets to bring her two favorite stuffed animals, play Uno, and do arts and crafts with her favorite Child Life specialists. She loves having sushi for lunch in the hospital cafeteria. Belle is a cheerleader and a runner. She has joined band and choir at school.

On the days Belle returns to the hospital, the services provided through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals help her spend time creatively.

Treated at Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle, WA.

Aisley’s parents took their 3-year-old daughter to her pediatrician when she began experiencing frequent headaches and vomiting, was especially tired and was eating less than usual. Aisley’s pediatrician referred her to Seattle Children’s, where an MRI revealed a life-threatening tumor that was pushing her brain to one side. She needed to go to the intensive care unit immediately, and then undergo emergency brain surgery. Aisley’s parents were stunned. Three days later, Aisley had a six-hour surgery to remove and biopsy her tumor. To pinpoint her exact diagnosis, pathologists used molecular testing - a type of precision medicine testing that was launched just a few years prior. The results showed Aisley had a rare and aggressive brain cancer. Her treatment included six months of chemotherapy, then six weeks of radiation to remove any remaining cancer cells. Her radiation oncology team significantly reduced the risk of damage to Aisley’s brain by using proton therapy to protect areas critical for language, memory and learning. Aisley completed her treatment one year later and continues to have MRI scans every six months – she remains cancer-free today. Thanks to generous donors to the Uncompensated Care Fund, the ongoing costs of the hearing aids Aisley needs are covered. Today, Aisley is an active 7-year-old on a competitive dance team. She loves doing cartwheels, swimming and playing with her sister, Elin.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Aisley had access to innovative cancer care at Seattle Children’s on her way to remission.