33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Dayton Children’s Hospital in Dayton, OH.

At the age of three, Carah was diagnosed with childhood-onset fluency disorder (also known as stuttering). While most children outgrow a stutter by the age of 5, Carah did not. In 6th grade, a substitute teacher mocked her in class, leaving Carah spiraling with her self-esteem and confidence plummeting. She mentally and emotionally struggled and didn’t want to go to school. Carah saw countless speech therapists over the years but never felt there was a right fit as the focus was placed on her speech fluency and less on the deep, lingering emotional trauma she was experiencing. That changed when Carah turned to Dayton Children’s Speech Therapy Program. “...from the time we walked through those speech therapy doors, they took the time to actually talk with Carah and dug deeper to the parts that people can’t see. And helped Carah in learning tools and techniques to navigate those feelings and mental roadblocks,” her mom said. Carah will always have a stutter; however, she’s learned that her condition does not steal the power of her own voice. One way she’s doing that is by educating her former middle school by giving a keynote speech every year, now part of her school’s curriculum, about stuttering, understanding yourself and your feelings, and bullying. “Stuttering is a part of me, but it doesn’t define me. I have a lot of goals set for the future and I’m just getting started,” Carah said.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Carah received life-changing support from Dayton Children’s Speech Therapy Program, helping her self-esteem grow as she navigates Child Onset Fluency Disorder.

Treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.

Isabelle (Belle) was adopted from China when she was 19 months old. Her parents knew she had a potentially devastating blood disorder called thalassemia, but they were comforted that a top ten children’s hospital would be waiting for them when they got home. Doctors at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh began treatment right away. Since she had beta thalassemia major, the most severe form of thalassemia, Belle had a mediport placed and began a routine of ongoing blood transfusions. To mitigate the risk of an iron overload, which could affect her liver and heart, she takes two medications every morning and every evening. Today, Belle is a happy 12-year-old who loves her hospital days because she gets to bring her two favorite stuffed animals, play Uno, and do arts and crafts with her favorite Child Life specialists. She loves having sushi for lunch in the hospital cafeteria. Belle is a cheerleader and a runner. She has joined band and choir at school.

On the days Belle returns to the hospital, the services provided through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals help her spend time creatively.

Treated at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk, VA.

At 11 years old, Sam’s parents noticed that something wasn’t quite right. The energetic, competitive tennis player said he felt tired all the time and was often cold, his appetite disappeared and he lost some weight. His pediatrician ordered bloodwork and a few hours later, called the family and asked them to bring Sam immediately to the emergency department at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD). Sam was diagnosed with T-cell leukemia and had a mass in his lungs, close to his heart. Sam was admitted to CHKD and immediately started treatment. A week later, his mass was barely visible. Although he was discharged, Sam returned to CHKD several more times over the next year for additional treatment. During his nine hospital stays, Sam realized how fortunate he was to have his mom and dad with him every step of the way. He decided that when his cancer treatment was over, he wanted to help other families by fundraising for CHKD. Two years after his initial trip to the emergency department, Sam was in remission and had raised more than $100,000 to help families with a child in the hospital. Today, Sam is back in school and focused on getting stronger. His family says they are incredibly thankful for Sam’s recovery, the staff at CHKD, and everyone who has donated to help CHKD patients and families.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Sam received quick, lifesaving treatment for his T-cell leukemia and is a strong, healthy 15-year-old.