33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, MD.

Before Emerson (Emme) was born at 25 weeks, she and her twin sister, Elle, were given a 10-15% chance of survival. At Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Emme had her first brain surgery at 21 days old. She was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy, and she recently underwent seven brain surgeries including a right lobe hemispherectomy to help with seizures and motor function. Despite her long, tough journey, Emme continues to conquer every challenge that comes her way. She has found comfort in the music therapy program, where loves singing the Beluga song with her music therapist.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fund the music therapy program that offers Emme comfort throughout her medical journey.

Elle was born prematurely at 25 weeks gestation, with a brain bleed that caused hydrocephalus, a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the cavities of her brain. Elle and her twin sister, Emme, were both given a 10-15% chance of survival. Elle spent 106 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with her sister. Elle benefited from the power of play by working closely with Child Life specialists and she loved the special NICU teddy bears, the mobiles, and the play pads. Today, Elle loves dancing, playing, and being her sister Emme’s number one supporter.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals supported Elle and her family by generously covering the treatment not covered by insurance.

Treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Toledo, OH.

Two weeks before Myla’s sixth birthday she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Myla’s diagnoses came during the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, Myla’s dad had to wait out in the van while they remained in the emergency room. It was through a video call that he heard the words “your child has cancer.” Myla initially spent ten days in the hospital where she had surgery to have her port placed, receive her first few rounds of chemotherapy, and many blood transfusions. After her release from the hospital, Myla began experiencing severe neuropathy. She had difficulty walking, using her hands, and her vocal cords were becoming paralyzed. Myla tested positive for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Two weeks later, she was sent home with many mobility and occupational therapy devices to help her regain her independence.

Today, Myla is nine and has returned to things she loved to do before her diagnosis- like riding a bike, doing ballet, and going to school. Myla keeps a smile on her face and takes things one day at a time!

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Myla had access to the therapies, specialists, and equipment that helped her overcome leukemia and get back to all her favorite activities.

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.