Our patients' stories

Treatment for Recurrent Pancreatitis and Choledochal Cysts: Autumn's Story
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) doctors unraveled the clues to find the answer to Autumn’s severe stomach pain caused by recurrent pancreatitis: bile duct surgery to treat a choledochal cyst.

Hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia Syndrome: Adam’s Story
Adam’s hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia wasn’t well controlled until he came from Chicago to CHOP. Now he’s participating in research to help find a better treatment for HA.

Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele: Trey and Emmett’s Story
Meet Trey and Emmett: They’re both from Ohio, they both have spina bifida, and they both had fetal surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Treatment for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Noah’s Story
Noah was born very premature and developed a serious lung condition. He found the lifesaving care he needed at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Donor-funded Research Helps Lizzy Dance Again
The side effects of cancer treatment challenged 10-year-old Lizzy’s identity as athletic and strong. Now in remission, she’s bouncing back.

Wilms Tumor: Donors Help Power Abbie’s Fight Against Cancer
Having to tell her siblings and classmates she has cancer was tough for Abbie, but she and her family have received incredible support and comfort at CHOP.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Donor-supported Research Will Find New Treatments
Desi, 3, has made it through the bad side effects of leukemia treatment. His mature and independent personality is again shining through.

Severe Congenital Neutropenia: Selene’s Story
Selene is healthy after receiving a bone marrow transplant at CHOP to correct a rare blood disorder that left her unable to fight off bacterial infections.

VEPTR Surgery for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Raymond’s Story
Surgery in a child with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has eliminated life-threatening respiratory infections by straightening the spine and separating the ribs.

Fetal surgery for myelomeningocele: Kaitlyn’s story
Diagnosed before birth with the most severe form of spina bifida, Kaitlyn underwent surgery while she was still in the womb. Now 5, she is happy and healthy.

Gene Therapy Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Céline’s Story
Céline’s symptoms dramatically improved after she received a new gene therapy treatment for Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at CHOP.

Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome and Blenderized Tube Feedings: Savannah's Story
CHOP dietitians work with Savannah’s parents to find a ‘real food’ solution to meet her medical needs and her family's wishes.

Trisomy 21: Sara’s College Story
Down syndrome didn’t stop Sara from dreaming of going to college, and with the help of CHOP’s Trisomy 21 Program, she is now living her dream.

Gluten Sensitivity: Logan’s Story
As one of the youngest members of the World Championship Lego® robotics team, 9-year-old Logan doesn’t let gluten sensitivity hold him back.

Pallister-Killian Syndrome (PKS): Violet’s Story
Bobby and Amber moved from Chicago to Philadelphia so that their daughter, Violet, could receive care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS): Oliver’s Story
A multidisciplinary team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides care for Oliver who was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome.

Rare Genetic Muscle Condition: Sadie
After a five-year journey, a new test by the Roberts Individualized Medicine Genetics Center diagnosed Sadie’s rare genetic muscle condition.

Gastroparesis: Arlene's Story
Arlene couldn’t eat. CHOP doctors unraveled her complex medical history to find a solution that worked for her.

Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis: Michaela’s Story
Diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, which causes eye drooping and double vision, Michaela is grateful for the team at CHOP for helping her see the world with both eyes wide open.

Surgical reconstruction of thumb (pre-axial) polydactyly: Zaki’s story
Diagnosed with polydactyly shortly after birth, surgery at CHOP has helped Zaki gain full hand function and even better flexibility than his doctors expected.