Children's Champions

Jordan was born with a complicated vascular problem that endangered both her brain and her heart. The condition causes the heart to overwork itself and could result in heart failure. She was transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin when she was only a few hours old. Several weeks later, Jordan underwent the first of six surgeries to treat her condition. She was released from the hospital after spending the first three and a half months of her life at Children’s Hospital. “I truly believe that if she had been anywhere else in the world, my story would be different,” said her mother, Sarah. Jordan has three remaining brain surgeries scheduled.

Alondra was diagnosed with a kidney tumor in January 2008. Doctors decided to remove the affected organ. She also underwent chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for more than a year. “I have a lot to thank the doctors at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for because they always treated me and my family well,” said Alondra. Even though she only has one kidney, she leads a normal life. She enjoys school and playing with her friends.

Kenny was taken by Flight for Life to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for emergency surgery after doctors discovered he had bleeding on his brain. Doctors removed a fist-sized clot from the 6-month-old’s brain. “He wasn’t just another case or another job to the Children’s Hospital staff,” his mother said. “He was a baby, someone’s child.” Today, Kenny is healthy, happy and delighting his family in every way possible.

LaTasha complained of headaches and fatigue before she came to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for an MRI. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor and admitted immediately. She underwent a delicate surgery to remove the tumor and fluid. After surgery, LaTasha had to learn how to walk again. She still receives therapy at the hospital. “Imagine the journey of LaTasha and other children who need brain surgery,” said her mother, Lorri. “Children’s Hospital continues to play an important role in this journey.”

Molly’s story begins in China. When she was 8 months old, Chinese doctors performed a surgery to remove a bulge between her eyes. In 2006, when Molly was almost 5, she was adopted and brought to the U.S. She was referred to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin where doctors discovered a hole in her skull between her eyes. Molly underwent a six-hour surgery to remove part of her skull and fuse it back together. “The team of doctors at Children’s Hospital were so great with understanding our fears, answering our questions and explaining what we didn’t understand,” her family said.

Caitlen was diagnosed with a posterior cerebral aneurysm, a potentially fatal condition that also could cause vision loss. While in surgery, doctors discovered the aneurysm had caused more damage than expected. As a result, Caitlen was at risk for a stroke or seizures throughout her recovery in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. In spite of her complicated condition, she made a full recovery and was released a week later. “We cannot thank the staff at Children’s Hospital enough for saving Caitlen,” said Christine Robel, her mother. “The Children’s Hospital team always will be heroes in our hearts.” Today, Caitlen loves to read and play games. She’s looking forward to swimming and playing T-ball this summer.

Andrew was born six weeks premature and spent six weeks in the hospital. He stopped breathing several times and struggled with, gastric reflux, asthma and other respiratory problems. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with cerebral palsy. Later, during a routine check-up, doctors discovered that Andrew had leukemia. He continues to receive treatment at the MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital. “Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is an amazing place,” his mother said. “The staff is so caring and wonderful. Many of Andrew’s issues are resolved thanks to the excellent care of the doctors at Children’s Hospital.”

In May 2008, Nicole was asleep when she was hit in the head by a stray bullet. She was taken to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and placed in a medically induced coma. Doctors removed part of her skull to take out the bullet and reconstructed her ear canal, which was severed by the bullet. Nicole was in a coma for a week. When she awoke, she couldn’t use her left arm, eat, walk, talk or support her head. Nicole needed rehabilitation to relearn everyday tasks. After a 26-day hospital stay, she was able to go home. Today, Nicole continues treatment at Children’s Hospital. She said, “I owe Children’s Hospital my life.”

 Before Joshua was even born, he had a stroke on the left side of his brain. As a result, he has needed speech, physical, occupational and vision therapy since he was 4 months old. Joshua also developed seizures that were caused by his stroke. In 2008, doctors at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin performed a procedure that helped end his seizures. Today, Joshua is 100 percent seizure-free, and his speech has improved.