33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

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.

Treated at Children's Health in Dallas, TX.

When Jenifer was 20 weeks pregnant, she learned that her baby's, heart was on the right, instead of the left side of his body. This meant he would need surgery shortly after birth to help his blood flow properly. Kaleb's parents chose Children’s Health because not only would they have an expert surgeon, but an entire care team dedicated to their baby’s health. Kaleb was born six weeks early with a heart defect that impacted the way blood flowed through his lungs, meaning his pulmonary veins, which carry blood from the lungs to the heart, weren't working well. Kaleb’s doctors made the difficult decision to try a surgery that had only been performed once, unsuccessfully. Kaleb underwent surgery at 9 days old – placing two stints to keep oxygenated blood flowing throughout his body – and it worked so well that the procedure has become the standard of care for all babies born with this heart defect. He also lives with heterotaxy syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can affect the development of important systems like the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Living with heterotaxy is difficult, unpredictable and requires long-term monitoring and care. But Kaleb’s care team and family do everything they can to keep him as healthy as possible, so he can focus on regular kid things — like swimming, Legos, Minecraft and learning everything he can about U.S. presidents. Every Halloween, Kaleb dresses up as a different U.S. president. He also loves animals, especially his Goldendoodle. “Her name is Jefferson, after President Thomas Jefferson. And yep, she’s a girl,” Kaleb said.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Kaleb had access to an innovative, life-saving heart surgeon and care team.

Treated at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in Chicago, IL.

When Aidan was seven years old, his parents began to worry as they noticed changes in his energy levels, and regular activities like family bike rides became more and more tiring for him. At his annual doctor’s appointment, his doctor noted that he had grown just one inch in the last year, and after running some tests, his parents turned to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Aidan was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. Aidan and his parents met with members of the pediatric nephrology team, who helped Aidan understand his condition in an age-appropriate way and included him in conversations at each appointment. Aidan’s condition progressed quickly, and five months later, Aidan went on the transplant list. After confirming that she was a match, his mom made the selfless decision to donate one of her kidneys to Aidan, and they underwent surgery four months later. Through this process, Aidan found comfort through the Lurie Children’s PeerWISE program, which connects current patients with patients who were once in their shoes. Since his kidney transplant, Aidan has continued growing and meeting his milestones. He enjoys playing golf and video games and loves reading and recommending books to his family members.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Aidan received a lifesaving kidney transplant from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.