33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX.

Kylea was born prematurely at 34 weeks in Kansas, and she tested positive for cystic fibrosis (CF). Her medical team thought it was a false positive since she had no symptoms. Months later, Kylea was still under five pounds. Her mom took her to the emergency center at a nearby children’s hospital in Missouri, where Kylea was admitted for jaundice. After a liver biopsy and other tests, including blood tests to look for the genetic mutations that cause CF, the family got confirmation: Kylea had two copies of delta F508, the most common genetic mutation that causes cystic fibrosis. Once she had an official diagnosis, Kylea’s family turned to Texas Children’s Hospital since they were ranked number one in pulmonology and offered a holistic approach to care. Her family moved to Houston, just in time for the new school year. Her childhood was filled to the brim with sports, dance, gymnastics, Girl Scouts, swimming, science camp, and trips to the zoo.

Today, she is 15 and studying French. She hopes to travel the world and study forensic psychology in college.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Kylea had access to world-class, holistic pulmonology care for cystic fibrosis.

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 Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA.

The joy of Kennedy’s birth changed to fear when she stopped feeding and her oxygen levels dropped. After six weeks with no answers at a local hospital, Kennedy’s parents drove 90 minutes to Boston Children’s Hospital, where extensive testing revealed Kennedy had a rare condition where her weak trachea could collapse to block the airway, making it hard to breathe. Her doctor explained that Kennedy needed a tracheotomy to keep her airway stable. After 136 days at Boston Children’s, nine-month-old Kennedy was able to go home. The care team helped the family understand how to access benefits for children with complex medical needs, including the care of an at-home nurse. Six years later, Kennedy visits Boston Children’s for check-ups and is making great progress, working toward being able to walk on her own. Kennedy is a proud big sister and loves music and seeing her friends at school.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals supported Kennedy over her 136 days of care with Child Life Specialists, music therapy, and visits from therapy dogs.