33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

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.

Treated at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO.

At age 4, Maelle began to complain that her head hurt and her eyes started crossing. Doctors discovered a three-centimeter mass in her brain and immediately sent the family to Children’s Hospital Colorado where Maelle had a biopsy.

Doctors at Children’s Hospital Colorado diagnosed Maelle with a non-cancerous pilocytic astrocytoma. Due to the tumors’ precarious location, it was deemed inoperable. After careful consideration, Maelle’s family and care team decided to shrink the tumor with chemotherapy. After seven months of chemotherapy, the tumor had shrunk significantly, and they were able to cease treatment and return to normal life.

For two years, Maelle enjoyed life outside of the hospital and became an avid volleyball player. But unfortunately, during a routine check-up, doctors discovered that Maelle’s tumor had started growing again. In January of 2021, Maelle began a new experimental treatment to help reduce the growth of the tumor. Maelle continued to remain in the best of spirits and came off the treatment in February of 2023.

Whilst the treatment saw limited success, she has been off all medication since. Maelle continues to visit Children’s Hospital Colorado to monitor the tumors’ progress and is excited to start high school next year! The family has hope in the groundbreaking research being conducted at Children’s Hospital Colorado to find new treatments and therapies for kids like Maelle.

“Words can’t describe what Children’s Colorado means to us,” says her mom, Kristen. “A hospital isn’t a place where most people would choose to be. And yet, I always feel at ease here, knowing that our daughter is getting the best care available. They are nothing short of amazing.”

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Maelle benefits from groundbreaking research being conducted by her local member hospital.

Treated at Medical University South Carolina Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in Charleston, SC.

At 48 hours old, Vinny was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease, a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the body’s ability to eliminate stool. Under the care of the team at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, Vinny underwent a 4.5-hour lifesaving surgery.

Vinny spent one month in the hospital recovering. Despite the hurdles associated with his condition, he defied the odds and blossomed into a healthy, vibrant kid. The compassionate care he received from MUSC staff played a pivotal role in Vinny's remarkable recovery and ongoing well-being. Vinny received follow-up care from special teams at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and has not required a return visit since he was ten.

Now 12 years old and in the sixth grade, Vinny is a lover of sports, and can often be found on the tennis court, hanging out with his two sisters, or surfing. His true passion is playing soccer. Last year, he was selected and traveled to Madrid, Spain, to compete in the Real Madrid World Challenge tournament!

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Vinny had access to specialized care and world-class surgeons at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.