33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA.

Porter was born with Down syndrome at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where the care team helped his family understand the medical, cognitive, and social complexities to ensure he could have the best quality of life. From the beginning, specialists provided education through their Trisomy 21 Symposiums, which helped Porter’s family build a support network of other families going through similar experiences. During the medical procedures and hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses, Porter’s family was grateful for the opportunity to participate in a few clinical trials through CHOP, helping to build a body of research that will pave a positive future for other individuals with intellectual disabilities. “Porter is thriving today because we’ve got a team that sees him as a person with a bright future,” his mom says, adding that “the team at CHOP has always been by our side.” Now 12 years old, Porter plays drums in the school band. He loves horseback riding, baseball, Tae Kwon Do, and Special Olympics swimming.

Thanks to the support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Porter and his family received incredible care and support, including music and art therapy.

Treated at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN.

Cassidy has a rare immunodeficiency and has been treated at Riley Hospital for Children since she was five months old. When Cassidy was six months old, she became very ill with croup. Within a matter of minutes of being triaged in the Riley Emergency Department, she stopped breathing on her own and was intubated and sedated for several days while doctors began to research a diagnosis and treatment plan. After several days, she was intubated. Her family says they were thankful for a diagnosis of croup at the time, this began our long journey of discovering the impact that a minor respiratory illness could have on Cassidy. After several years, her family discovered that she has a rare immunodeficiency with cold induced urticaria. Cassidy is now in kindergarten and thanks to a wonderful care team, she has avoided inpatient treatment since her hospital visit four years ago.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Cassidy has received lifelong support for her rare immunodeficiency condition.

Treated at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Lancaster, PA.

When Benjamin was born a month early, medical staff realized immediately that he wasn’t crying or breathing correctly. “Everything that could be wrong with his lungs seemed to be wrong,” said Ben's mom, Danielle. He was transported by a pediatric ambulance that was funded by Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, which had the highest level NICU and a high-oscillating ventilator that could save his life. Because Benjamin’s condition was so critical, a doctor explained that he may need a form of life-support called ECMO, a machine that was also purchased by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “I remember signing the consent for the ECMO and asking the doctor if we have to go to ECMO, and that doesn’t work, is there anything beyond that? And she said no. Knowing that we were at that point was very scary,” shared Danielle. “But he’s a strong guy. He rallied and did so well.” A few weeks later, Benjamin was able to go home, and today is a happy, healthy kid! Benjamin loves baseball, soccer and Cub Scouts. He loves trains, bridges, and building things with Legos. He also loves the Pittsburgh Steelers and got to go to Pittsburgh to attend his first game!

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Benjamin received life-saving care with the use of a pediatric ambulance and ECMO machine, allowing him to live a healthy life.