OUR CHAMPIONS
62 children enter a Children's Miracle Network Hospital for treatment every minute. Whether they suffer from common childhood afflictions like asthma and broken bones, or fight bigger challenges like birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids. In fact, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat one in 10 children in North America each year.
Thanks to the support of our partners and the community, thousands of children are winning the battles of their lives every day. Meet some of our incredible champions that were treated at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and read their stories of hope and healing!
PATRICK & WILLIAM
PREMATURE BIRTH
Patrick and William were born when their mom was only 26 weeks pregnant. Patrick, born weighing 1.13 pounds, and William, born weighing 1.14 pounds, are surviving triplets, and say they received their fighting spirit from their brother who didn’t make it.
Both Patrick and William underwent cardiac surgery before they were 12 days old. While fighting numerous infections and overcoming several setbacks, the boys spent nearly four months in the Alexander Center for Neonatology at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.
Patrick was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, and despite the frequent hospitalizations, procedures and weekly therapy treatments that he receives, nothing stops him and his brother from being bright, inquisitive 10 year olds.
HANNAH
WILMS TUMOR
Hannah was in pre-school when an unusual spot on her stomach landed her in her pediatrician’s office. She was immediately referred to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and eventually diagnosed with Stage 5 Wilms Tumor, a type of cancer affecting her kidneys.
Hannah underwent surgery to remove one of her kidneys and one-third of the remaining kidney. Following the surgery and many weeks of chemotherapy, Hannah was cancer free when she was two years old.
Since then, Hannah has fought and won her battle with cancer twice more, facing it all with poise, laughter, grace and faith.
ALEX
CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT
Alex was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect before he was even born. His mother was still pregnant when her doctors noticed that something was wrong and told her to go to The Heart Center at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. At six days old, Alex endured his first open heart surgery and then spent six weeks in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU).
ARDEN
LEIGH'S SYNDROME
Due to low fetal heart rate, Arden was born at 32 weeks via emergency C-section. Only six weeks later, she began having difficulty breathing and x-rays showed her heart had grown to fill ¾ of her chest cavity, and was crushing her lungs.
After receiving a heart transplant, Arden was also diagnosed with a rare and progressive mitochondrial disease. Because her condition is complex, Arden spends a lot of time at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer receiving specialized treatment and various therapies.
JOHN PARKER
TRAUMA PATIENT
John Parker was just seven when he was severely injured while playing with neighbors on the upstairs balcony of his family’s home.
While playing spy games with friends, John Parker leaned over the ledge of a balcony and his shirt became stuck on the spiked fence. As he stepped down, he was pulled forward and the spike at the top of the fence went through his neck, causing a one inch wide and one inch deep wound.
Taken by ambulance to the Level 1 Trauma Center at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, John Parker narrowly missed severing any arteries or puncturing his spinal cord and only needed surgery to repair the wound. Today, John Parker is doing well and his family is grateful for the live-saving care their son received from the team at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer.
JP
POTOCKI-LUPSKI SYNDROME
When JP was born, he could barely move, constantly slept and wasn’t eating regularly. It wasn’t until he was nine months old that he was able to hold his own head up, and that’s when doctors began to fear that JP would never be able to walk.
Just before his second birthday, JP was diagnosed with Potocki-Lupski Syndrome (PTLS), a very rare health condition that causes developmental delays, speech problems, low muscle tone and feeding difficulties. The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, part of Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, has provided occupational and physical therapies, and had the staff and technology to help JP get to where he is today - walking, running and dancing with his seven siblings!
ALEXIS
CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE
Alexis was eight years old when an excruciating headache brought her to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children just a few days after Christmas.
Within hours, Alexis was in surgery due to a cerebral hemorrhage on the left side of her brain, and was eventually placed in a medically induced coma to recover. Her mom, Kathryn, is grateful that her daughter’s life was saved by the quick response and expertise of the hospital’s doctors, nurses and everyone who supports them.
MALEAH
ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA
Maleah was three years old when her parents noticed her swollen glands and grew concerned. A visit to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children for blood work led to a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Maleah’s mom was thankful for the caring staff that made every effort to make both Maleah and her family comfortable in their home away from home - especially when they were living at the hospital for weeks at a time during treatment. Today, Maleah and her family consider the doctors, nurses, and staff their extended family and are grateful for their support during the most difficult times in our lives.
LAUREN
CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT
Lauren's parents were preparing to bring home their brand new baby girl from Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies when they received news that shattered their world - a congenital heart defect had been discovered through additional testing.
Lauren was transferred across the street to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and underwent open heart surgery when she was just three days old.
CARSON & KENDALL
PREMATURE BIRTH
Twins Kendall and Carson are honor roll students who love playing sports and spending time with friends. But when their mother went into labor 20 weeks early while pregnant with them, it was hard to imagine ever celebrating their birthday, let alone their ninth birthday, which they did this year. Thankfully, doctors at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies were able to delay her delivery for an additional six weeks, giving Kendall and Carson a better chance to thrive outside of the womb.
ALEX
ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
Alex was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at nine years old. While his journey at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children was long, Alex was always grateful for the CMN Hospitals’ funds that helped the Child Life Department keep the playrooms in the hospital up-to-date. During his visits, he loved playing video games in play rooms, but especially liked it when he could engage and play with other kids by playing board games, Legos and action figures.
JUSTICE
PREMATURE BIRTH
Justice was born 17 weeks early, weighing one pound, five ounces. A surviving twin, she was able to finally leave the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies after 92 days, but her journey did not end there.
She battled Chronic Lung Disease and overcame five cardiac surgeries before she was two years old, and continues to receive therapies at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.