33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at CHOC Hospital in Orange, CA.

Cash was 13 years old when he was playing football in a park and collapsed on the field. He went into cardiac arrest and the paramedics arrived within minutes. After repeated shocks and IV medication in the local emergency room, he was transported to CHOC Hospital to receive care from a recently formed collaboration between CHOC and UCLA Health pediatric heart specialists. The specialists diagnosed Cash with an anomalous left coronary artery (ALCA), a rare condition that disrupts the flow of blood to the heart. Since only one percent of the population is born with it, sudden cardiac arrest during exertion may be the first sign of ALCA and that’s what happened to Cash. He spent 33 days at CHOC Hospital before he was stable enough to go home. Now 15, Cash manages his condition with medications to support optimal heart function. Cash does his best to stay positive, spends time with family and friends, and enjoys traveling to new places.

Thanks to support for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Cash was able to receive life-saving surgery and highly specialized care.

Treated at Children's Health in Dallas, TX.

When Jenifer was 20 weeks pregnant, she learned that her baby's, heart was on the right, instead of the left side of his body. This meant he would need surgery shortly after birth to help his blood flow properly. Kaleb's parents chose Children’s Health because not only would they have an expert surgeon, but an entire care team dedicated to their baby’s health. Kaleb was born six weeks early with a heart defect that impacted the way blood flowed through his lungs, meaning his pulmonary veins, which carry blood from the lungs to the heart, weren't working well. Kaleb’s doctors made the difficult decision to try a surgery that had only been performed once, unsuccessfully. Kaleb underwent surgery at 9 days old – placing two stints to keep oxygenated blood flowing throughout his body – and it worked so well that the procedure has become the standard of care for all babies born with this heart defect. He also lives with heterotaxy syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can affect the development of important systems like the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Living with heterotaxy is difficult, unpredictable and requires long-term monitoring and care. But Kaleb’s care team and family do everything they can to keep him as healthy as possible, so he can focus on regular kid things — like swimming, Legos, Minecraft and learning everything he can about U.S. presidents. Every Halloween, Kaleb dresses up as a different U.S. president. He also loves animals, especially his Goldendoodle. “Her name is Jefferson, after President Thomas Jefferson. And yep, she’s a girl,” Kaleb said.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Kaleb had access to an innovative, life-saving heart surgeon and care team.

Treated at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo, NY.

Born in India, Vignesh was adopted by his family at five years old. Vignesh was diagnosed with spina bifida, as well as hydrocephalus, a condition in which the body is not able to rid of excess fluid in the brain. He also experienced hearing loss and needed a cochlear implant surgery while in India. At Oishei Children’s Hospital, Vignesh underwent four surgeries, one of which was to replace his current shunt with a new one. At the age of nine, Vignesh received a new cochlear implant and is doing amazing. His family is grateful for the tremendous support and care at Oishei Children’s Hospital.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals help patients like Vignesh receive exceptional care and specialized occupational therapy.