Our patients' stories
Zion’s story: The gift of hands
Zion Harvey is the first pediatric patient to receive a bilateral hand transplant. He was treated by a team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
World’s First Bilateral Hand Transplant on a Child: Zion’s Story
An 8-year-old boy holds a mini football in the palm of his hand, gently squeezing it between thumb and fingers, dreaming of the day he can get out on the field and throw a pass. There’s nothing unusual about this scenario, except for one thing: a few weeks ago, this child had no hands.
Lymphatic Leaks: Marta’s Story
Diagnosed with a very rare lymphatic disorder, Marta traveled from Norway to find treatment at the Jill and Mark Fishman Center for Lymphatic Disorders at Children's Hospital.
Rick, Gert and Their Grandson Sam
Sam came to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for treatment of a severe heart defect. He received treatment and the chance to be a kid. Sam's grandparents, Rick and Gert, are grateful their grandson had both opportunities.
Peter and His Grandson Bart
Diagnosed with an enlarged heart and related complications, Bart’s family brought him to CHOP for life-saving surgery. Years later, Bart’s grandfather Peter, calls the doctors “real-life super heroes” and sought a way to thank them.
Catherine and Her Granddaughter Molly
Born with a hole in her heart, Molly spent 24 days in the newborn/infant intensive care unit at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Catherine, Molly’s grandmom, found comfort knowing her first grandbaby was being treated by expert and compassionate doctors, nurses and support staff.
Healthy Weight Program: Giovanna Eisenstein
The Eisenstein family struggled to help their young daughter maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI), until they sought the help of experts in CHOP’s Healthy Weight Program.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Lilly’s Story
When it was time for Lilly Moore to have her third surgery for HLHS, her parents made the decision to travel 2,300 miles from home to the Cardiac Center at CHOP.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and ECMO: Parker’s Story
After being prenatally diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), Parker, now 9, was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on her first day of life.
Sacrococcygeal Teratoma (SCT) Surgery: Emily’s Story
At just one day old, Emily underwent surgery to remove a sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT), a large tumor that had grown to be a third of her size by the time she was born.
Language Delay: Camryn's Story
Camryn found all the help she needed in the CHOP Care Network to overcome a variety of health issues so she can now enjoy preschool like any other 3-year-old.
Type 1 Diabetes: Tim’s Story
In the summer of 2012, Tim was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He knew he needed to get control of his diabetes so he could fully enjoy high school and all it offered: meeting new friends, learning new things — and even playing football.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Cullen’s Story
Cullen Mitchell has neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder. His parents, Kelly and Ken, credit the Neurofibromatosis Program at CHOP with helping them manage the complexities of caring for a child with this condition.
Arterial Ischemic Stroke: Avery’s Story
After a stroke at age 17, Avery worked her way back to the basketball court — thanks to neurology, rehabilitation and sports medicine experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Felicia's Story
Felicia thought her long childhood battle with cancer was over until she was diagnosed with a new cancer — papillary thyroid cancer — in her sophomore year of college.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): Michael Jr.’s Story
Michael Jr. was one of the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment’s first patients, where he had surgery to repair a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
Twin-twin Transfusion Syndrome: Olivia and Stella's Story
Olivia and Stella were diagnosed in utero with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a life-threatening condition in which blood circulates unequally between the twins.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Yousuf's Story
Yousuf, who lives in Qatar, fell gravely ill. He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and transferred via air ambulance for treatment.
Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction and Prune Belly Syndrome: Owen’s Story
During a routine ultrasound, Tara and Travis Markel learned that their baby’s bladder was the size of his head, indicating a serious birth defect. Their research led them to the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Heterotaxy Syndrome: Ethan’s Story
After learning that their unborn baby had heterotaxy syndrome and CHD, Alison and Philip turned to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for hope.