Our patients' stories

SCID and Bone Marrow Transplant: Audrey’s Story
Audrey was diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency, treated with drugs to ward off infections, and underwent a bone marrow transplant at CHOP — all in her first month of life.

Lesly’s Leap of Faith
When doctors discovered her unborn baby had an enormous tumor, Lesly moved cross-country in search of hope for her daughter. The PBS series TWICE BORN followed their journey.

Type 1 Diabetes: Jordan’s Story
Even though Jordan has seen his dad and brother manage their type 1 diabetes for years, coping with his own diagnosis was overwhelming at times. He turned to his team at CHOP for help.

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.

Brachial plexus birth palsy, BOTOX injection: Riley's story
CHOP's Brachial Plexus Program tailored a care plan for Riley that took her from from a 10-day-old with little movement in her right arm and hand to an active baby who feeds herself and throws a ball to her dog.

Hemorrhagic Stroke: Nate’s Story
Before he was born, Nate suffered a hemorrhagic stroke that severely damaged his brain. Early intervention at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia started him on a journey to healing.

CGD and Bone Marrow Transplant: Tommy’s Story
A bone marrow transplant to treat chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) saved Tommy's life and enabled him — and his family — to live a normal, happy life.

Leukemia and Unrelated Donor Blood Bone Marrow Transplant: Veronica’s Story
Veronica spent almost half her young life dealing with leukemia. Today, she's a happy and healthy 4-year-old who looks forward to her follow-up appointments at CHOP — the place that saved her life.

Cystic Fibrosis: Angela’s Story
Watching Angela DeStasio glide across the dance floor, you’d never suspect she has cystic fibrosis. Learn how she manages her disease so that she can continue to do what she loves.

Overcoming a Crooked Spine — Spine Surgery for Scoliosis Takes Aspiring Cheerleader from the Sidelines to Stardom
Tori's parents feared that surgery for Tori's worsening scoliosis would end her beloved gymnastics cheerleading career but the CHOP Orthopaedics team got her back into award-winning form.

T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Sydney’s Story
Sydney was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and received several rounds of chemotherapy at CHOP. In September, she will be a Patient Ambassador for the Parkway Run & Walk.

This Is Zion: One Year Later
Watch this inspiring one-year update on Zion Harvey, the recipient of the first bilateral hand transplant in a child.

Soroosh Mahboubi, MD, FACR
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Braylen’s Story
Braylen Clayton was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 2. Today, he is a 7-year-old who loves reading and playing with friends, thanks to intensive teamwork between his parents and experts at CHOP's Center for Childhood Communication and Autism Integrated Care program.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury: Lydia’s Story
After tearing both ACLs playing soccer, 14-year-old Lydia took her doctor’s advice and switched sports. Today, the former soccer defender is a competitive rower.

Scoliosis: Courtney’s Story
At the age of 12, Courtney was diagnosed with scoliosis. By the time she turned 17, she needed surgery. Dr. Sankar performed a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation that allowed Courtney to get back to dancing and compete nationally eight months after surgery.

B-cell Lymphoma: James’ Story
James was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma soon after beginning his junior year of high school. On Sept. 25, he and his team, the Bald Eagles, will join the Parkway Run & Walk to help raise money for pediatric cancer research at CHOP.

Lauren VonHoltz, MD, MPH
Lymphoblastic Lymphoma: Emily’s Story
Emily was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma and received treatment at CHOP. Emily’s team will join the Parkway Run & Walk on Sept. 25 to raise money for pediatric cancer care and research at CHOP.

Ewing Sarcoma: Anthony’s Story
Anthony’s story started with a simple lump on his head. Then came a shocking diagnosis, two surgeries, 14 rounds of chemotherapy, and weeks in the hospital.

Lindsay E. Gilmore, MD
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Megan’s Story
Megan had acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 13 — and when she was 19, it came back. Her treatment included an experimental drug that could be administered at home with the help of CHOP’s Home Care nurses.

Daria Murosko, MD, MPH
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Conall’s story
In 2015, the now 6-year-old Conall went into septic shock, a result of underlying leukemia and a strep infection. A year-and-a-half later, he’ll be walking on new legs as a Patient Ambassador during CHOP's 2016 Parkway Run & Walk.