33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

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 UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in Oakland, CA.

Ripley was born with a congenital heart defect and spent the first week of his life in UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals’ Intensive Care Nursery. A month later, he returned for open heart surgery to repair the defect, known as Tetralogy of Fallot, which reduces the heart’s ability to pump oxygenated blood to the body. He is part of a Cardiac MRI study at UCSF that is exploring the risks of brain injury in babies with congenital heart disease.

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Ripley received access to critical care to correct his heart defect.

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.