Our patients' stories

Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM): Roberto’s Story
Roberto Rodriquez Jr. was the first-ever fetal surgery patient at CHOP, undergoing a prenatal procedure to remove a lung lesion in 1995.

Giant Omphalocele: Jackson's Story
Casey and Bryan Kirsch were determined to give their son Jackson every chance to live a healthy life when they learned that he had a giant omphalocele.

Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome: Laurel's Story
After months of debilitating pain, Laurel found relief, support and healing from the Center for Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Spina Bifida and Fetal Surgery: Sean's Story
Prenatally diagnosed with myelomeningocele (MMC), the most severe form of spina bifida, Sean Mulligan underwent fetal surgery at CHOP to repair the birth defect.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): Cora's Story
After learning their baby had CDH, the Pappas family traveled from Tennessee to seek care at CHOP's Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment in Philadelphia.

Spina Bifida and Fetal Surgery: Audrey's Story
Audrey Rose Oberio was prenatally diagnosed with myelomeningocele (MMC), the most severe form of spina bifida. She became CHOP's 1,000th fetal surgery patient.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Peyton's Story
Peyton Laricks underwent successful surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to repair a prenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Gardner Syndrome: Felix's Story
When Felix, who is from Caracas, Venezuela, was diagnosed with Gardner syndrome, a condition that often leads to colorectal cancer, his parents found him the best care at CHOP.

Spina Bifida and Fetal Surgery: Mia Lisa's Story
After a poor spina bifida prognosis, Mia Lisa underwent fetal surgery for spina bifida at CHOP, where surgeons repaired the opening her spine before birth.
Bronchopulmonary Sequestration (BPS): Luke's Story
Luke Kelly came to CHOP for lifesaving care after being prenatally diagnosed with a type of lung lesion called bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS).

Spina Bifida: Caoimhghin's Story
Caoimhghin was diagnosed before birth with spina bifida, and was the very first baby delivered in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit at CHOP.

Leg deformity: Matthew's story
Born with a congenital condition that causes an irregular angle of growth to his lower legs and uneven lengths, Matthew Emerick found help from CHOP orthopedist Richard S. Davidson, MD.

Idiopathic Scoliosis: Gina's Story
A back brace kept Gina's idiopathic scoliosis in check for years until a growth spurt at age 15. That's when her family sought surgical help from spine experts at CHOP.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury: Justin's Story
After an ACL injury sidelined football standout Justin Morrison from New Jersey, surgery and follow-up care at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia put him back on the gridiron.

Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome and Congenital Scoliosis: Keegan's Story
Born with severe chest and spine deformities, Keegan's future looked dim until his parents found Robert M. Campbell, MD, and the innovative VEPTR device he created.
Childhood Cancer Advocacy: Megan Ward's Story
Megan Ward is the mother of two childhood cancer survivors, Mollie and Grace. Ward's experiences with her two daughters has led her to become an advocate for childhood cancer research.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Hailey’s Story
Just two days after complaining that her leg hurt, 2 1/2-year-old Hailey Tamagno was with her family at CHOP getting a shocking diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Ewing Sarcoma in the Brain: Jake's Story
When a CT scan showed a tumor in Jake’s brain, he was sent to CHOP immediately for surgery. Doctors diagnosed the mass as Ewing sarcoma, a type of cancerous tumor.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Joey's Story
Joey was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when he was 6 years old. A year later, he and his family participated in the Parkway Run to raise funds for cancer research at CHOP.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Alex's Story
Born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect, Alex Volz was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 27 months old.