Miracle Children

Giving

Seeing children go home healthy is the reward for the many dollars and volunteer hours given to Children's Miracle Network (CMN). Each year, CMN asks children previously treated at UMC Children’s Hospital to share their "miracle story." These stories help provide a glimpse into the many ways CMN and UMC help to make miracles every day.

2021 Miracle Children

Kynlee White

On May 13, 2020, Kynlee thought she had broken her leg falling down the stairs. She went to the doctor and discovered that it was something else entirely. She had a sunburst of osteosarcoma - bone cancer.  At only 13 years old, Kynlee was in and out of UMC for a year for chemotherapy. After a hard fight with treatments, surgery, and rehab, Kynlee rang the bell. She was cancer free. Kynlee is a fighter and is glad to be back doing the things she loves. She is so appreciative of all the support she received from her nurses and doctors at UMC and says she could never have done it without them!

Because of you, the kids throughout our vast region receive the very best in medical care. If you would like to help keep the miracles going, donate here bit.ly/33nim2t.

Lillie Stone

When Lillie’s mom and dad were diagnosed with COVID in December of 2020, it was assumed Lillie was positive, too. However, what seemed like a night of Lillie generally not feeling well changed when she had multiple seizures back-to-back. After being rushed to UMC, Lillie was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to begin testing. The Pediatric Neurosurgery Team, alongside the PICU Team, ran many tests and had many diagnostic exams done to shed more light on Lillie and her seizures. After a stay in PICU, Lillie was finally able to go home. Her parents are grateful to everyone who took care of them and were able to ease their fears in such a difficult time.

Because of you, the kids throughout our vast region receive the very best in medical care. If you would like to help keep the miracles going, donate here bit.ly/33nim2t.

Zeke Arredondo

At just 17, Zeke was diagnosed with COVID in August of 2020. What started out as a minor sinus issue, quickly progressed to Zeke having uncontrollable fevers and moving into multi-system organ failure. After being admitted to UMC’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, doctors and nurses did everything they could to keep Zeke’s body functioning the way it should. After a total of nine days in pediatric care, he was finally able to go home. Today he is on the road to recovery and doing better every day.

Because of you, the kids throughout our vast region receive the very best in medical care. If you would like to help keep the miracles going, donate here bit.ly/33nim2t.

I’Keen Chacon

Just a short 7 weeks ago, I’Keen was born prematurely on June 22, 2021. Immediately admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to get him the help he needed. Today, although still too young to be touched, I’Keen is doing incredible. He has made tremendous strides in his health and progresses more and more with each day that passes. His parents are eternally grateful to the NICU team and look forward to continuing to see baby I’Keen thrive.

Because of you, the kids throughout our vast region receive the very best in medical care. If you would like to help keep the miracles going, donate here bit.ly/33nim2t.

2020 Miracle Children

Elizeth Andazola

Rhue Feaster

In September 2019, Rhue’s parents began to notice significant changes in her behavior—she seemed unsettled and abnormally fussy. By October, the fussing and crying worsened. Rhue’s mom, Alison, took her to the doctor who thought she was just experiencing a bad bout of constipation.

Later that week, Alison and Rhue’s grandfather saw what they thought was a lump in her buttock. This, of course, raised a red flag for Alison, and she took Rhue back to the doctor. An ultrasound, a CAT scan, an MRI and a biopsy were ordered. It was revealed Rhue had a germ cell tumor in her pelvis.

Dr. Thomas McGill, Pediatric Surgeon, performed surgery to remove the tumor November 8, 2019. The tumor was the size of a toy football. On November 14, Rhue began her first of four rounds of chemotherapy with Pediatric Oncologist Dr. Kishor Bhende.

Rhue completed chemo on January 16, 2020, and is in chemical remission. She is back to being a healthy and active 2-year-old!