33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

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 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.

Treated at Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, FL.

At just 20 months old, Libbiana (Libbi) was diagnosed with stage 2 Wilms tumor in the height of the pandemic. On the day that Libbi was planning to ring the bell to celebrate being cancer-free at Golisano Children’s Hospital, her family learned that the cancer had come back and that it was growing rapidly. It consumed Libbi’s entire abdominal and pelvic area, compressing her bladder, intestines, and lungs. Despite strong chemotherapy, the tumor wasn’t shrinking. A risky and complicated surgery became the only option for her survival. Thankfully, by the time Libbi turned three, she had beat Wilms tumor twice. Over the course of 150 nights and an additional 150 days in the oncology clinic, Libbi overcame major emergency surgeries, being on a ventilator, blood and platelet transfusions, the removal of a kidney, intensive chemotherapy, and so much more. Today, Libbi is five years old, cancer-free, and healthy. She and her family love to share her story to give hope to other families.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals ensured that Libbi and her family had the care and support they needed as she fought to beat cancer.