33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at University of Michigan Health at Sparrow Children's Center in Lansing, MI.

At 17 weeks pregnant, Ryan’s mom, Becky, was diagnosed with a subchorionic hematoma. Soon after, Becky was placed on bedrest for 6 weeks until Ryan was born via an emergency C-section at 23 weeks.

Ryan weighed one pound seven ounces at birth. In the University of Michigan Health at Sparrow Children’s Center’s Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU), he was supported by a team of neonatologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, phlebotomists, and many others. Ryan’s time in the NICU was marked by underdeveloped lungs and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, multiple infections, intraventricular hemorrhages, necrotizing enterocolitis, and advanced retinopathy of prematurity.

After discharge, Ryan required regular follow-up appointments with many subspecialists, therapists, medical equipment providers, and others. He was readmitted that first year into the pediatric intensive care unit for breathing difficulties, and additional surgery.

Today, Ryan is a 14-year-old who exemplifies perseverance. He loves to build things, ride his bike and hoverboard, and play in the band!

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Ryan had access to a team of lifesaving specialists in the neonatal intensive care unit after being 17 weeks prematurely.

Treated at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center in Waco, TX.

Identical twins Audrey and Ella were born nine weeks premature, and each weighed two pounds. They spent several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital. Despite their early arrival, the twins were healthy, and their early interventions were very minimal. However, when they were one year old, a routine doctor’s visit led to a referral to a plastic surgeon at McLane’s Children’s Hospital who found both of their skulls were developing in a triangular shape. This condition, Metopic Craniosynostosis, happens when the bone plates that make up the skull fuse too early and can lead to vision, learning and behavioral issues. Audrey and Ella required a Cranial Vault reconstruction/reconstructive surgery at 17 months old. After their ten-hour procedure, the doctors confirmed that they did not need any additional surgery. Today, the twins are six-years old and are growing and thriving. With their scars hidden beneath their hairline, you would never know of their condition.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helped to purchase the equipment used for Audrey and Ella’s Craniosynostosis Cranial Vault reconstruction/reconstructive surgery.

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.