Every moment has a story

Diagnosis: Heart transplant

Location: Dallas

Penny has always led life with passion and a lot of heart — despite being born with only half a functional heart.

Diagnosis: Rhabdomyosarcoma

Location: Dallas/Plano

Although Octavia faced a rare childhood cancer, she always found opportunities to add some sparkle and fun to her time at Children’s Health.

Diagnosis: Chronic lung disease; subglottic stenosis grade 3

Location: Dallas

Noa has needed medical help to breathe since she was born, but thanks to expert care from Children’s Health, she can now breathe on her own and do things her family couldn’t have imagined before.

Diagnosis: Heart transplant

Location: Dallas

After finding out he needed a heart transplant, 13-year-old Micah set out to make sure teens facing transplant have all the support they need.

Diagnosis: AML

Location: Dallas

When KK learned of her leukemia diagnosis at Children’s Health, she felt overcome by a “wave of acceptance.” But with her family, care team and the health system’s leading-edge research on her side, she wasn’t ready to give up.

Diagnosis: Chronic Constipation

Location: Plano

Living with no sacrum means a lot of medications and difficulty going to the bathroom. But Jace has learned what his body requires — from a care team who has inspired him to want to help other kids in the hospital.

Diagnosis: Injury from sledding accident

Location: Dallas

What started off as a fun day in the snow turned into one of the scariest moments in Heidi and her family’s life. After her accident, her dedicated care team at Children’s Health helped her learn how to walk, eat and talk again.

Diagnosis: Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome

Location: Dallas

2-year-old Grayson spends several days a week at Children’s Health undergoing treatment for a rare kidney condition. His family is grateful for a place where he’s always felt welcomed and loved.

Diagnosis: Congenital heart defects

Location: Dallas

When faced with an urgent need for a rare, complex surgery to repair their son’s heart, Frank’s family was grateful the surgery was available nearby.

Diagnosis: Group A Streptococcus necrotizing fasciitis

Location: Dallas

The kindness and care Evelyn received at Children’s Health inspired her to spread that same compassionate care to other kids when she grows up.

Diagnosis: Hirschsprung's Disease

Location: Dallas

Six-year-old Emma spends her time focused on gymnastics, music and first grade — knowing her care team is there if she needs them.

Diagnosis: Lymphangioma

Location: Dallas

Although Dallas has spent countless hours at Children’s Health to receive treatments for a rare condition, he mostly remembers the fun he had at the hospital and the heroes he met along his care journey.

Diagnosis: Congenital heart defects

Location: Dallas

Coco’s care team at Children’s Health used leading-edge technology to plan her complex heart care months before she was born. Today, she’s getting into the routine of going to preschool.

Diagnosis: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)

Location: Dallas

Clark’s fight for survival led to a milestone moment in NICU care — and his family’s lifelong gratitude.

Diagnosis: Meningitis

Location: Dallas

After other hospitals failed to provide answers, Bo’s family rushed him to Children’s Health℠. His care team listened to the then-10-year-old, which helped them discover an infection in Bo’s brain that led to four surgeries.

Diagnosis: History of ependymoma (brain tumor)

Location: Dallas

When Avery was diagnosed with a brain tumor, his care team at Children’s Health℠ became a deep source of strength — and lasting memories.

Diagnosis: Autism; pediatric feeding disorder; ADHD

Location: Dallas

When AJ was younger, his feeding disorder made it difficult for him to eat almost anything, which impacted his growth and nutrition. After attending the feeding therapy program at Children’s Health, he’s developed a better relationship with food.

Diagnosis: Hepatoblastoma, liver transplant

Location: Dallas

When the then-3-year-old and his family received the diagnosis, Children’s Health was there to care for their physical, emotional and mental needs. 

Diagnosis: Group B Burkitt Lymphoma

Location: Plano

Physicians at his local hospital couldn’t figure out the cause of Dawson’s tummy ache. A two-hour drive to Children’s Health provided the family with the answers and care they needed.

Diagnosis: Kidney and heart transplant

Location: Dallas

In search of better treatment for Samantha’s ongoing kidney problems, her grandmother found the care and the “family” they needed at Children’s Health.

Diagnosis: Cystic Fibrosis

Location: Dallas

Jairo's mom, a Spanish speaker, felt overwhelmed by his diagnosis. Children's Health language services gave her confidence in his care.

Diagnosis: Heart defect

Location: Dallas

Born with congenital heart defects, Easton spent most of his first year of life at Children’s Health. His care team members helped his family feel at home at the hospital and inspired them to give back. 

Diagnosis: Cardiology, pulmonology and gastroenterology

Location: Dallas

Born with a group of birth defects undetected in utero, Elizabeth wasn’t getting better and was running out of options when her family called Children’s Health

Diagnosis: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Location: Plano

Victoria was one of the first patients at Children's Health Plano to receive a revolutionary immunotherapy treatment. Now, she’s paving the way for other kids with leukemia.

Diagnosis: Pilocytic astrocytoma

Location: Dallas

Despite experiencing the impossible, Trevor and his family gave back to the people who helped him throughout his journey at Children’s Health.

Diagnosis: Cerebral palsy and rare genetic disorder

Location: Dallas

For more than a decade, RH’s care has involved collaborating with numerous specialists across the Children’s Health system to help a boy who cannot talk.

Diagnosis: Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Location: Plano

Beckett’s family held onto hope when he was diagnosed with a rare and complex cancer at 19 months old. Now, he’s 4 and taking the world by storm.

Diagnosis: Heart transplant

Location: Dallas and Cityville

Dallas, born with three heart conditions, found hope at Children’s Health in his namesake city. A new heart at 12 lets him thrive.

Diagnosis: Juvenile Dermatomyositis

Location: Dallas

Kennedy’s strength and coordination faded fast—but a team of experts at Children’s Health worked to find answers and a new treatment.

Diagnosis: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Location: Plano

A nosebleed led to Rook’s early leukemia diagnosis. Now, this superhero-loving kid is fighting back, ready to ring the bell soon.

Diagnosis: Medulloblastoma, type 1 diabetes

Location: Dallas

After battling type 1 diabetes & brain cancer twice, 12-year-old Levi keeps finding the silver lining—with a little help from furry friends.

Diagnosis: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Location: Dallas and Plano

Born with a rare heart condition, Grace has faced multiple surgeries—but with expert care, she’s now thriving, singing, and wakesurfing.

Diagnosis: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Location: Dallas

When 2-year-old Cori suddenly lost movement, her mom fought for answers. A rare diagnosis, a first-of-its-kind treatment—now, Cori has a second chance.

Diagnosis: Traumatic head injury

Location: Dallas

A birthday party turned into a life-changing moment for Isai—but his journey of strength and healing is nothing short of inspiring.

Diagnosis: Heart and liver transplant

Location: Dallas

Last year, Sydney became too sick to stay at school. Now she’s back with her bright smile. The only thing different about Sydney is her heart – and her liver.

Diagnosis: Alagille syndrome, liver transplant

Location: Dallas

Growing up, Aaron spent a lot of time in hospitals. His diagnosis remained a mystery to his family for years, until one doctor found he had been born with Alagille syndrome.

Diagnosis: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Location: Dallas

When a rare nerve disorder caused paralysis in her body and face, Amulya and her family turned to Children’s Health to get her back on her feet and regain her smile.

Diagnosis: Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Location: Dallas

Despite a complex case of diagnoses, daring Paige faces each obstacle with the support of Children’s Health team members and fellow patients.

Diagnosis: Cerebral Aneurysm

Location: Dallas

A ruptured, 3-millimeter brain aneurysm wiped Anabelle’s memory and personality. Her family and Children’s Health care team stood by her as she recovered.

Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism and migraines

Diagnosis: Chronic Kidney Disease

Location: Dallas

When two separate diagnoses hit siblings around the same time, Children's Health was there to stabilize both kids - and the entire family.

Diagnosis: Congenital heart defect

Location: Dallas

After their daughter was born with a congenital heart defect, Tara and Daniel thanked her care team the best way they knew how: an investment in the future of Children’s Health.

Diagnosis: Acute flaccid myelitis

Serenity was diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) likely caused by an infection from an enterovirus - a common virus that usually causes mild symptoms.

This September, Dylan will serve as the Honorary Captain of the Match during FC Dallas’ Kick Childhood Cancer Night.

Diagnosis: Heart Transplant

Brandi found out that her son, Brantley, had this congenital heart defect when she was only 16 weeks pregnant. She knew that he would face tough challenges.

Diagnosis: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Thanks to her daily medications, Emma, 15, lives a pretty typical life. Her eclectic interests range from making soap and bath bombs to reading and archery.

Diagnosis: Aplastic anemia

Her aplastic anemia came on suddenly and intensely. The previously energetic sixth-grader began experiencing crushing fatigue, bouts of bleeding from her gums and frequent blood transfusions.

Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

At age 2, Lincoln was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a fast-growing cancer that begins in the bone marrow and spreads out to the body through the blood.

Diagnosis: Heart Transplant

In 2023, Olivia celebrated the 5-year anniversary of her transplant conducted at The Heart Center at Children's Health in Dallas - the place she calls the balloon hospital.

Diagnosis: Congenital Heart Defect and Cerebral Palsy

Amelia wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She wants to help people, just like the physicians and nurses at Children's Health have helped her since she was a baby.

Diagnosis: Henoch-Schonlein Purpur Nephritis

For a while, 5-year-old Shay wanted to be a doctor for babies when she grew up. But these days, she's all about the pizza. She might want to work at a pizza place or be a pizza maker.

Diagnosis: Tuba1A gene mutation

Summer and Travis rode a rollercoaster of emotions since becoming pregnant - with one valley being a routine ultrasound at 20 weeks revealing that their daughter Stella's brain wasn't forming as expected.

Transplant patient Carlos and his family find expert care and support at The Heart Center at Children’s Health.

Diagnosis: Heart Transplant

Diagnosed with heart failure, Riley lay in her hospital bed at Children’s Health℠ in Dallas thinking about the day that completely sidelined her active life.

Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

“One minute Ricky was starting summer vacation and sleeping over at his best friend’s house, and the next we were rushing to the ER in Dallas,” Priscilla said.

Diagnosis: Acute myeloid leukemia

Preston likes to smile, crack jokes and try to make everyone feel comfortable – even when he’s going through a lot. 

Diagnosis: Lymphedema of lower extremities

Maddie Jo took her diagnosis in stride. A bubbly, outgoing kid, she kept a positive attitude and simply told her mom “okay, what’s next?” after each appointment.

Diagnosis: Multiple Lung Diseases

A bout with RSV as a baby has turned into a lifelong battle for our hero Ryder.

Diagnosis: Rhabdomyosarcoma

Drew can no longer play high-impact sports like soccer, baseball or basketball. He can’t risk an impact to his jaw, which was weakened by a rare form of cancer. But he can put up the fight of a lifetime.  

Diagnosis: Biliary Atresia

David was diagnosed with biliary atresia at just a few weeks old. Expert care has helped him grow up with big dreams and a bright future.

Diagnosis: Wilms tumor

Clayton's diagnosis began during a trip to the pediatrician, prompted because they noticed his belly was distended and beginning to protrude more to one side.

Diagnosis: Liver Transplant

For the past 6 years, Annabella and her family have sponsored and decorated a Christmas tree that brightens the lobby of the Solid Organ Transplant Center at the Children’s Health℠ Dallas Campus.

Diagnosis: Clear cell sarcoma of kidney

When you first meet Amairy, now 6, she can be shy, but her reserved nature certainly doesn't define her. She's even been known to have two-hour dance parties with her child life specialist.

Diagnosis: Intractable constipation and colonic dysmotility

"Before Children's Health, Adalynn was sick and throwing up and nobody could explain it. The doctors at Children's Health did the research and testing and kept fighting to figure out why she was getting so sick. We would not be here if it was not for Children's Health."

Diagnosis: Congenital Heart Disease

Living with heterotaxy syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can affect the development of important systems like the heart and gastrointestinal tract, Kaleb wouldn't be here without our innovative team at Children's Health.

Meet the team of heroes that cared for Children's Health patient Charley during her two kidney transplants.

Diagnosis: Kidney Transplant

Charley was born with one healthy kidney, but two transplants later, she's a healthy 13-year old thankful for her care team at Children's Health.

Riya was born extremely premature. Despite her tenacity, she passed away at 4 1/2 months old. Now, her parents are on a mission: Raise $75,000 in her honor.

Diagnosis: Leukemia

After being diagnosed with leukemia, Thiago and his mother Laura went to Children's Health to heal. Now in remission, Thiago is back in school and thriving.

After Micaela’s Army dissolves, nonprofit unanimously votes to establish two endowments to Children’s Health^SM

Diagnosis: Type 1 Diabetes

Diagnosed three years ago with type 1 diabetes, Camille is balancing life as a student athlete and proud participant in a T1D clinical research study.

Diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukemia

When her leukemia returned, Alexis' brother stepped in with her last hope for a cure.

Diagnosis: Asthma

After an asthma attack almost took her life as a kindergartener, Aarini is giving back to Children's Health through her art and by talking about her experience.

Diagnosis: Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome

After a devastating diagnosis at her birth, Ava has defied the odds thanks to the support of her healthcare providers at Children's Health.

Diagnosis: Rhabdomyosarcoma

More than a year ago, Hank finished his last round of chemotherapy. Team members celebrated the milestone with a Spiderman-themed party full of superhero costumes and a banner that read “Peace Out Chemo.”

Diagnosis: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Diagnosed with leukemia just before his third birthday, Isacc's care is now overseen by the growing oncology team at Children’s Medical Center Plano.

Diagnosis: Testicular Cancer

Preston was only a freshman in high school when a surgeon in the emergency room at Childre's Health told him he'd have to remove one of his testicles after a tumor that had caused it to swell to three times its normal size.

Diagnosis: Leukemia

After spiking a 106 degree fever and having uncontrolled vomiting, Kasen was rushed to Children's Health Plano. Within three days, he had started chemotherapy for leukemia.

Diagnosis: Solid Organ Transplant, Liver

Born with Alagille syndrome -- a rare, life-threatening liver disease, Axel found a new chance at life through his liver transplant at Children's Health.

Diagnosis: Rhabdomyosarcoma

The moment when Lincoln's tumor grew - so big that he couldn't breathe through his mouth and struggled to breathe through his nose -- was one of the scariest for Lincoln's parents, Shelly and Chris.

Diagnosis: Congenital Heart Defect

Davi was born with a congenital heart defect and has a superpower of making the world feel like Candyland - happy, sweet and colorful.

Diagnosis: Cystic Fibrosis

Brothers Tanner and Caleb are like a lot of siblings. They tease and fight - all in good natured brotherly love. And they're also each other's biggest defenders.

Diagnosis: Birth Brain Defect

“My granddaughter is everything to me. I wanted the best for her, and I knew Children’s Health had the expertise to give us answers and get Kadence on a healthier path,” Kadence's grandmother Deondriea said.

Diagnosis: Cerebral Palsy

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the team at Children’s Health supported Edison to ‘be the boy he wants to be.’

Diagnosis: Rehabilitation

Zoey was 18 months old when she was rushed to Children's Health after a near-drowning accident. On a feeding tube and barely moving, a long road to recovery began.

Diagnosis: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Leone's parents dress up as superheroes during his treatments at Children's Medical Center Dallas to make him feel like he can defeat anything - even cancer.

As one of our spunkiest patients, ZaZa loves showing off her superpowers of running fast and showing cancer who's boss.

A refugee from war-torn Yemen, Raina's childhood was chaotic, and she struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Searching for control in an unpredictable world, she focused on one thing she could determine: how much food she ate.

Born with Down syndrome, Valeria already saw a number of specialists at Children’s Health for asthma and sleep apnea before she was diagnosed with leukemia.

Born with a rare liver disease, Annabella was five months old when she was put on the list for a liver transplant at Children’s Health. And a few months later, her family got the call: There was a new liver for Annabella.

"I want Eli to have a normal life," Eli's dad said. "And the only thing I want to be different about him is the scar on his chest, which is a badge of honor for going through what he did."

In June, Reagan combined his love of baseball and his desire to increase awareness of sickle cell at a baseball tournament that was held on World Sickle Cell Day.

While Carlos and his family waited for a new heart at Children's Medical Center Dallas, they found friendship and support from fellow heart patient families.

Fighting cardiomyopathy during COVID-19, Harrison has been waiting patiently for his new heart at Children's Health.

A victim of online bullying, Abby questioned her worth. 'What if I wasn't here anymore?' she thought. That's when her journey led her to the SPARC program at Children's Health.

If you spent time with the always-smiling Myra, you'd never believe she was in an unthinkable battle against mixed phenotype acute leukemia for most of her life.

Research treatment at Children's Health has allowed Lylah a chance to do ballet and play baseball, even while battling Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Crossing the finish line at a 5K is something Mitchell wasn't sure he'd ever be able to do. Because of physical therapy done at Children's Health, now he's running as much as he can.

Arriving at 24 weeks and five days, Kepley James entered the world at 1 pound, 10 ounces. Still so small that you could see her lungs through the skin on her chest.

Elli was two days old when Jennifer and Angie met her on Nov. 17, 2018. She weighed four pounds, five ounces and had a head of wispy dark hair.

"As of that moment, our lives would never be the same," Arya's mom said. "I felt strongly that if God has chosen me to care for her, then my job was to do whatever it takes to do exactly that."

Diagnosis: Congenital Heart Defect and Cerebral Palsy

Looking at this bubbly 5-year-old, you wouldn't know she had a complex medical history, and that when she was a baby, the Children's Health foster clinic saved her life.

Adopted at birth, Addison suffered from frequent ear infections and severe balance issues, which compromised her hearing and delayed her walking until she was almost 18 months old.

One of our Halloween-loving patients, Noah, made a special trip to Spirit Halloween to get a behind-the-scenes look at how their spooky animatronics work.

Ava loves Broadway musicals, is obsessed with sharks and wants to be a marine biologist. And like many people, she hasn't always liked how she looks.

Her aunt taught her how to apply blush to accentuate her cheekbones and eyeliner to brighten her eyes. But no one prepared Camila on how to fight cancer.

A muggy Friday evening in late May, wearing a polyester blue gown over a shirt and tie, is not the typical stuff of teenage dreams. But Davion fought for his life to not miss this moment.

"We'd sang her a million-and-one songs trying to put her to bed or rock her to sleep at night, and she'd never heard any of it," Finley's mom said. "She'd never even heard us say, 'I love you.'"

Elaine, a mother of four, doesn't take for granted the chance to rock her youngest, Obie. For the first two months of his life, Elaine couldn't hold him. An incubator at Children's Health was his crib.

Friends and neighbors of PGA golfer John Senden used to ask how to improve their golf game when they'd see him. Now, they want to know how his 15-year-old son is doing.

For six months, a Children's Health hospital room adorned with cutouts of butterflies, hearts and unicorns has been a temporary home for 2-year-old Zena and her mom, Kenda.

During her journey at Children's Health, Hanna collected more than 700 Beads of Courage to represent different milestones or treatments, more than any other patient in the trauma program.

Elianna was born with two severe heart defects and had her first heart surgery when she was just 13 days old - her heart was the size of a walnut.