33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in Chicago, IL.

When Aidan was seven years old, his parents began to worry as they noticed changes in his energy levels, and regular activities like family bike rides became more and more tiring for him. At his annual doctor’s appointment, his doctor noted that he had grown just one inch in the last year, and after running some tests, his parents turned to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Aidan was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. Aidan and his parents met with members of the pediatric nephrology team, who helped Aidan understand his condition in an age-appropriate way and included him in conversations at each appointment. Aidan’s condition progressed quickly, and five months later, Aidan went on the transplant list. After confirming that she was a match, his mom made the selfless decision to donate one of her kidneys to Aidan, and they underwent surgery four months later. Through this process, Aidan found comfort through the Lurie Children’s PeerWISE program, which connects current patients with patients who were once in their shoes. Since his kidney transplant, Aidan has continued growing and meeting his milestones. He enjoys playing golf and video games and loves reading and recommending books to his family members.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Aidan received a lifesaving kidney transplant from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

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 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA.

Porter was born with Down syndrome at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where the care team helped his family understand the medical, cognitive, and social complexities to ensure he could have the best quality of life. From the beginning, specialists provided education through their Trisomy 21 Symposiums, which helped Porter’s family build a support network of other families going through similar experiences. During the medical procedures and hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses, Porter’s family was grateful for the opportunity to participate in a few clinical trials through CHOP, helping to build a body of research that will pave a positive future for other individuals with intellectual disabilities. “Porter is thriving today because we’ve got a team that sees him as a person with a bright future,” his mom says, adding that “the team at CHOP has always been by our side.” Now 12 years old, Porter plays drums in the school band. He loves horseback riding, baseball, Tae Kwon Do, and Special Olympics swimming.

Thanks to the support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Porter and his family received incredible care and support, including music and art therapy.