Foundation Stories

Stories to inspire

Patient story

Sand Drowning: Edgar’s ECMO Story

A day at the beach turned into a nightmare when a sand cave collapsed on Edgar. He was rushed to CHOP where a world-renowned ECMO team saved his life.
Patient story

Hemiplegic Migraine: Claire’s Story
When Claire was 5, she mysteriously slipped into a coma and no one could figure out why. Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia discovered the cause: a hemiplegic migraine.
Patient story

Combination Lung Mass: Emma’s Story
Kelly Heffernan felt lost when a mass was discovered on her unborn daughter’s right lung. Here, she shares the story of how she and Emma Grace found their way to CHOP.
Patient story

Genetic Predisposition to Cardiomyopathy: The Moran Family’s Story
It all started when Joy told her mom, Heather, that she was having chest pains. Heather’s family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy prompted her to schedule an appointment at the Cardiac Center, where both Joy and her sister, Ryann, were found to have the gene for cardiomyopathy
SCT Patient Ava
Patient story

Sacrococcygeal Teratoma (SCT): Ava's Story
Despite insurance obstacles, a family found hope at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment after learning their baby had a sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT).
Patient story

Bladder Exstrophy: Bracken’s Story
Born with his bladder outside of his body (bladder exstrophy), Bracken faced significant challenges. His family found help and healing at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.