Preschooler Living Seizure-Free With Leading-Edge Medicine
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health’s Epilepsy Center provides the latest treatments and loads of compassion for kids with epilepsy.
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Patient Stories
From Premature Twins to Water Polo Pros
During National Prematurity Awareness Month, we’re sharing a story that proves that babies can have a bright future even if they are born too soon.
Teen Overcomes Injury to Compete in MLB Pitch Hit & Run at World Series–and Wins
A Bay Area teen takes the national stage at the MLB-sponsored Pitch Hit & Run youth event and takes home the trophy.
Cause for Celebration—and Concern
A martial arts mom gets a one-two punch when she learns that she has a heart condition—and that she’s pregnant.
From Chemo to 5K: Teen Beats Lymphoma and Runs Full Speed Ahead
Max’s fighting spirit, supportive family, and Stanford care team helped him navigate type 1 diabetes and Burkitt lymphoma.
Parents Express Gratitude in a Heartbeat for the Strength of Stanford’s Pediatric Network
Child celebrates another “heart-aversary” after undergoing open-heart surgery nine years ago at only two months old.
A Touching Reunion: Spontaneous Triplets and Their Lifesaving Stanford Children’s Caregivers
The 39th annual NICU/ICN grad party set the stage for a heartfelt reunion between three premature siblings and their caregivers.
Preteen Saves Her Own Life by Catching Rare Cancer Early On
Stem cell transplant at Stanford Children’s helps Lila achieve remission and celebrate two years cancer-free.
The Journey From Pediatric Cancer Patient to Future Physician
Ryan Sathianathen has always been interested in science. But his journey as a childhood cancer patient propelled that interest into a dream to become a pediatric hematologist-oncologist.
Exceptional Teen Helps Others After Spinal Fusion Surgery for Scoliosis
After recovering, Lauren is running competitively and helping others who are considering the same surgery.
Young Adult Turns Short Bowel Into Motivator for Full Life
When Arizona Martinez walked into her recent gastrointestinal checkup appointment, her doctor couldn’t contain her surprise over what Arizona was wearing.
Heart-Lung Transplant Patient Going Strong, Reaching Dreams at 16-Year Mark
Needing a heart-lung transplant has not kept ToneeRose Legaspi from living a full life. She recently completed the final step in preparing for her dream career: becoming a librarian.
Fortune Smiles on Couple Trying to Build a Family
For one couple, the IVF journey to becoming parents made them realize how lucky they were.
Transplant Recipient Celebrates Impressive 40-Year ‘Heart-Aversary’ in a Remarkable Year for Stanford
Woman achieves 40-year anniversary of heart transplant with the same donor heart.
Raising Awareness of the Gift of Life at San Francisco Giants Games for 25 Years
It was a dream come true for Jah’Seki as he stepped onto the field at Oracle Park during warmups to meet some of his favorite San Francisco Giants players. The 9-year-old is being honored after he received an intestinal transplant that gave him another chance at life.
Stanford Heart Team Keeps Extremely Ill Baby Alive With Finesse and Teamwork
Girl faces quadruple threat—a viral illness, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and a rare heart defect—and prevails.
Early Diagnosis Is Key for Children With Autism
Screening for autism, along with appropriate therapies and fully engaged parents helped Olivia get on track developmentally.
Distance Runner Charging Forward After Crawling Across Finish Line
Medha’s Stanford care team has helped her bounce back stronger after multiple injuries and learn how to reduce her injury risk in the future.
Tween Misses Old Heart but Grateful for New One After Transplant
A multispecialty Stanford heart team takes heroic measures to ensure a good outcome for a complex heart transplant.
Boy With Short Bowel Syndrome Living the Dream of a Better Life
Intestinal Transplant Program at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health frees child from a lifetime of intravenous feeding.
How a Social Media Post Led a Teen to Find a ‘Kidney Buddy’ for Life
Jaxon was diagnosed with nephronophthisis, a genetic disorder of the kidneys. Children who have this disease need a kidney transplant by the time they’re teenagers, as it eventually leads to kidney failure.
New Liver Gives a Toddler a Renewed Chance at Life
“Ocean was in dire need of a liver transplant,” says Carlos Esquivel, MD, pediatric transplant surgeon. “He was very ill and running out of time to wait for a compatible pediatric donor. We rarely get a pediatric donor. We had an offer for him from an adult donor that was his only chance for survival. We were able to use a small segment of the donated liver to save his life.”
Family Turns Newborn’s Rare Diagnosis Into Something Beautiful
A team of specialists supports boy with rare skin and neurological condition.
A Heart Ready for Everything
Nicholas DeHart was 8 years old when he decided to join his school’s band. He chose the clarinet, a wind instrument.
Remission Holds Fast After Five Relapses for Young Woman With Leukemia
None of the treatments designed to fight Camille’s acute lymphocytic leukemia worked, until an innovative stem cell transplant at Stanford.
Doctors Remove Highly Complex Brain Tumor Through Toddler’s Nose
At 2 and a half years of age, Lewis had a pituitary gland that was working poorly and worsening vision. Then, fear of a new tumor developing near his hypothalamus triggered worry that Lewis would develop hypothalamic obesity. It was time to operate.
An Innovative Use of ECMO Helps Boy Avoid Lung Transplant
Serious infection damages boy’s lungs, but Stanford Medicine Children’s Health critical care doctors heal him over time.
Boy Tames His Single Ventricle Condition With His Lion Heart
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health provides specialized heart care to give Judah the best possible outcome.
Girl Faces Open-Heart Surgery With Strength, Humor, and Grace
Elodie was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta—a rare heart defect that is present at birth but often does not create symptoms until later in life.
Teenager Back on Lacrosse Field After Brain Surgery for AVM
Lauren Adair loves the sport of Lacrosse – so much so that it was the first thing she worried about after being diagnosed with an AVM, or arteriovenous malformation.
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford Welcomes First Baby of 2024
Baby Garcia arrives early to celebrate the new year with parents.
Patient Heading to the Rose Parade to Honor His Three ‘Angel Organ Donors’
Joseph Sanchez-Munoz is special. He has had three transplants—a kidney, liver and heart—at three different points in his life. And now, he’s honoring his donors on a national stage.
Santa’s Elf Brings Comfort and Cheer to Young Patients from the Heart
One of Santa’s favorite elf received a Berlin Heart, a ventricular assist device (VAD) that acts as an external heart pump attached by tubes, which sustains a child whose heart may be too weak to work on its own. Of course, this version was shrunk down to elf size.
Couple Conceives After Years of Trying, Celebrates Healthy Baby Girl
Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Health Services helps couple overcome roadblocks to pregnancy.
Pediatric Liver Team and Young Patient’s Family Help Him Thrive Three Years After Surgery
Martin Alvarez’s case demonstrates why Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford has the best three-year patient survival rate in the U.S.
Teenager With Epilepsy Looking Forward to Driving After Complex Craniotomy
The Pediatric Epilepsy Center at Stanford Children’s performed a highly complex brain surgery called a craniotomy for Isaac Diaz.
Micropreemie Twins Grow Up and Give Back
National Prematurity Awareness Month has a special meaning for two 24-year-olds.
Expert High-Risk Pregnancy Care Gets Mom to the Vital 23-Week Mark
Compassionate in-depth fetal counseling helps family make the best decision for them.
Teen Sings After Complex, Rare Airway Surgery
Today, teenage Grace is back to doing what she loves–singing–thanks to our advanced Voice and Swallow Program.
Cancer Nurse Comes Full Circle to Care for Families
As a kid, Hannah was inspired by the nurses who cared for her brother as he battled a brain tumor, so she became one herself.
Stanford Children’s Uses Advanced Neonatology Care and a Minimally Invasive Procedure to Save a Preemie
Meet the smallest baby to have been treated by our Preterm PDA Closure Program team.
Leukemia Doesn’t Stop Pierce From Having Fun and Making Friends
After enduring six months of intense chemotherapy to treat his acute myelogenous leukemia, Pierce is back to an active life.
Simple Orthodontic Device Helps Baby Breathe, Eat Without Support
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is the first-in-nation to offer a small jaw treatment other than surgery.
New Immune System, New Life for California Teen Overcoming Leukemia
After battling high-risk leukemia for years, Emily is finally in lasting remission thanks to an innovative stem cell transplant.
PACT Team Says Yes to Passed-Over Donor Heart, Giving Young Man a Second Chance
Josh, a 24-year-old from Discovery Bay, California, has Danon disease—a rare genetic condition that weakens muscles in the body, along with the heart.
Living Donor Transplant Survivor Takes Center Stage at Giants’ Donate Life Game
10-year-old Mason is swinging for the fences and raising awareness of the importance of organ donation.
Preteen With Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Is Back to Active Life, Thanks to New Drug, Supportive Care Team
Cystic fibrosis drug helps preteen avoid lung transplant.
Preteen Beats ACL-Meniscus Tear With Grit and Great Care
After tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and half of his meniscus, 12-year-old Aiden worked hard to return to his elite club soccer team.
By Saying Yes, Stanford Children’s Helps Newborn With Fatal Kidney Diagnosis Survive
Ten years ago, Abigail Beutler was born without kidneys. Against all odds, she’s alive today to play with her Breyer horses, read her favorite Paul Revere adventure book, and challenge her brother in archery.
‘Wildest Dreams’: Teen Awaiting Lifesaving Transplant Gifted Taylor Swift Tickets
Nevaeh has a medical condition that limits her in many ways. Seeing the ‘Bejeweled’ singer in concert wasn’t one of them, thanks to a generous donor and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Young Man Receives the Rare Gift of Three Transplants
Joseph Sanchez-Munoz is the only child who has ever received three transplants from us, each at a different time in his life.
Second Opinion Uncovers Chronic GvHD and Gives Teen His Life Back
After a stem cell transplant, Austin suffered from puzzling symptoms, until a second opinion revealed he had graft-versus-host disease.
From Patient to Registered Nurse: Overcoming Challenges to Achieve Her Dream
Getting her degree as a registered nurse is a dream come true for Misty Blue Foster. And she did so with the support of her caregivers at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
Family Sleeping Easy After Newborn’s Laryngomalacia Treatment
No one expects to get any sleep with a new baby. It takes a while for babies to settle into a sleep cycle, and they have to eat often. Yet these usual reasons are not what kept Katie and Ryan Bridge awake when their daughter Claire was just 4 weeks old. It was her noisy breathing.
CPR: Every Moment Counts
A cardiac arrest prevents the heart from pumping effectively and causes it to stop. While it’s extremely rare in children, it’s also fatal, and people in cardiac arrest require treatment within minutes.
Twins Share Everything, Including Celiac Disease
When Joseph and Devlin went for their wellness check at age 5, their pediatrician noticed that they were not gaining weight like they should. She suspected celiac disease—an autoimmune disorder that is genetically passed on within families.
Former Patient Returns as Child Life Specialist
After being treated at Packard Children’s as a child, Lauren Newman is back, helping kids get through similar experiences as a child life specialist.
“Through Their Eyes”: Patients Reflect on Illness Through Photography
Through a photo project, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health patient families shared their hospital experiences through their eyes.
A Preemie Transfers and Gets a New Care Plan for BPD
If expectant parents Owen and Jamie Brennan had to guess who they’d be most closely in touch with soon after their baby was born, they wouldn’t have guessed a stranger who lived almost 700 miles away.
Teen Taking on Life After Intestine-Liver-Pancreas Transplant
Zero signs of rejection despite her second intestinal transplant, thanks to advanced protocols and innovations at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Getting to the Heart of a Rare Genetic Condition
A rare genetic condition meant a lot of uncertainty for an unborn baby. A multispecialty Stanford Medicine Children’s Health team came together to find answers.
Two Kidney Transplants, One Family, and a Whole Lot of Love
The program’s one-year and three-year success rates are 100%, which are unsurpassed despite caring for children with the toughest challenges.
Soccer Player Wins the Long Game of Scoliosis Treatment
Macy is sharing her scoliosis care story to inspire other girls who are diagnosed with scoliosis as preteens. She wants them to know that they will make it through. Her advice is to “just keep going week to week and focus on something you love to do, letting it carry you to the other side.”
A Father’s Love Provides a Gift for His Son and a Stranger
An East Bay 8-year-old will soon need a kidney transplant. His parents were told they’re incompatible to donate to him, but an innovative program allowed his father to help.
Rising Stanford University Track Star Turns Injury Into Opportunity
Cate went from a broken leg to breaking records as a high school track star in a little over a year.
Teen Basketball Player Saved by CPR Highlights Risk of Cardiac Arrest in Sports
Ryan Chian life was saved in part by teen siblings Ian and Molly Hanaray.
Baby MJ Battles an Extremely Rare, Strange Heart Defect and Wins
Stanford fetal heart, heart surgery and CVICU teams come together to treat baby with uncommon heart defect.
Baby With Challenging Tetralogy of Fallot Grows Into Healthy Toddler
Stanford Children’s heart doctors perform unifocalization to repair Hayden’s toF with pulmonary atresia and MAPCAs.
Three Innovations Shorten Heart Transplant Patient’s Wait Time
It started as a simple persistent wet cough, something Eloise (Ellie) McCloskey’s mom, Aubrey, noticed before spring break of second grade, and it quickly escalated from there. After a week in the hospital and an echocardiogram and tests, the family received the news. Ellie had dilated cardiomyopathy—a disease of the heart muscle—and her heart was slowly failing.
A Joyful Pause for Premature Baby on Heart Transplant List
Sky Mattan Gopin is a miracle baby. He went from needing a heart transplant to near-normal heart function in just a few months’ time—without heart surgery.
Celebrating the Gift of Life and Her Donor’s Legacy Through Advocacy
A Stanford Medicine Children’s Health pediatric heart transplant patient is riding on the Donate Life Rose Parade float to raise awareness for organ donation. This is her story.
Elite Diver Faces Chronic Growth-Related Knee Issues and Wins
A core team of caregivers helped Scott Garman overcome injuries and achieve his dream of becoming a D1 diver.
Smallest Baby Born in 2020 Turns 2 and Rules the Day
Om, who was born very early, faced death and survived. Doctors don’t always know why one extremely premature baby makes it while another does not. But his parents know why Om survived.
Premature Baby Turns 2 After Traumatic Start
Juliana Vidigal was just shy of 26 weeks pregnant when she started bleeding and feeling abdominal pain. She immediately called her neighbor, who gave her a ride to a nearby hospital in San Francisco. The news wasn’t good.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Stanford doctors provided specialized heart and ENT follow-up care for preschooler.
NICH Program Gives Parents of Medically-Complex Baby Wings to Fly
Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH) Program supports families of babies with chronic health needs.
From Birthday Party to Brain Surgery, All in 24 Hours
One minute Logan Schwaderer, age 11, was going to his little sister’s birthday party, and the next he was headed to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health for brain surgery.
Young Man Becomes First in World to Be Cured of FSGS With New Treatment
Traejen spent hours a day on dialysis after a failed kidney transplant, until a new approach cured his FSGS and helped him get his life back.
After Liver Transplant, 5-Year-Old Celebrates the Gift of Life With San Francisco Giants
Organ Donor Awareness Day with SF Giants.
Preschooler Thriving Three Years After Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida
Ever since Iliana had a fetal surgery, she has been defying the odds that often accompany her serious form of spina bifida.
Micropreemie Survives Lifesaving Heart Surgery for Rare Fetal Heart Tumor
Multispecialty clinical teams work together to save micropreemie.
Brave Preschooler Battles Rare Childhood Cancer and Wins
Marlee, her parents, and Stanford doctors teamed up to fight stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma.
College-Bound Teen Overcomes Rare Lymphoma
Mia had primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, but after chemotherapy and many hours of physical therapy, she’s off to college.
Laughter and a Potts Shunt Are the Best Medicine for Boy With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health gives kids with advanced pulmonary hypertension another option besides lung transplant.
Teenager Finds Relief from Debilitating Pain with Robotic Surgery
Floating kidney resolved with minimally-invasive nephropexy surgery.
Teen Riding High After Long Battle With Leukemia
Mateo had acute lymphoblastic leukemia with mutations that made it hard to treat, so his Stanford pediatric oncologists tried a stem cell transplant.
On the Road to Normal Eating for Baby Born With Laryngeal Cleft
At our aerodigestive center, we have a large multidisciplinary team—ENTs who intimately understand airway disorders, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists who specialize in babies with swallowing disorders, pulmonologists who concentrate on aspiration, and gastroenterologists who understand reflux in the context of cleft.
Top Athlete Supported by Circle of Caregivers
R.J. Stephens is a high-performing athlete supported by a team of pediatric sports medicine specialists at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Two Generations Thriving Following Dr. Sunshine’s Care
Shannon Ivarson and her 9-year-old twins, Whitney and Nolan, have a special history with Phil Sunshine, MD. Both generations were both treated by him and today, they are thriving.
Baby Toddling On After Surgery for Craniosynostosis
The craniosynostosis team is made up of multiple pediatric specialists including neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons.
Six Adopted Kids, All With Special Needs
The Moore family of Concord, California, has set a record for having the most kids from one family receiving care at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. We couldn’t think of a nicer family to reach this milestone.
Genetics Team Serves as Go-to for Mom of Son With Extremely Rare Disorder
Asher Gerlach, age 6, is a special kid. Not only because he’s one of just 20–30 children in the world with an exceptionally rare genetic disease, according to medical literature, but also because he has a refreshing take on life.
New Laparoscopic Procedure for Live Donor Liver Transplant Makes Donation Easier
Felix is the first infant to receive a live donor liver transplant that was removed laparoscopically from an adult donor on the West Coast.
Unconventional Teen Finds Relief From Severe Asthma
Christian went from being hospitalized several times a year with asthma attacks to playing football, thanks to new medicine and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health experts.
An Eye-Opening Patient Experience for Parents of 8-Year-Old Hit by Baseball Bat
Additional emergency care by Stanford ophthalmologists provide peace of mind for East Bay parents.
A Turbulent Ride for Family Coping With Two GI Conditions
Pediatric Disease Center provides family with wrap-around care.
Toddler Takes on Jungle Gym After Life-Changing Heart Reconstruction
Highly specialized Complex Biventricular Reconstruction Program offers exciting alternative for kids with single ventricle hearts.
Procedure Expands Teen’s Chest and Confidence
Pectus excavatum is a depression in the chest wall that affects approximately 1 in 400 children.
Kidney Brothers Develop Bond for Life
Two young boys got more than just a new kidney from the Pediatric Transplant Center—they got a friend for life.
Baby Saved by Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Doctors Is Now a Healthy Child
Access to doctors within the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health care network saved the life and sight of a 2-month old baby.
New Liver, New Life for Baby With Biliary Atresia
Parents met with the liver transplant team and a month later she had transplant surgery.
Second Opinion Means Second Chance for Young Athlete
Spondylolysis, a break in the spine, prevented Neill from playing sports. A second opinion led him to Stanford, surgery and a return to an active life.
Preschooler Thrives After a T-Ball Hit Saves His Life
Parents to 4-year-old Carter could never have known that a bump to his head during T-ball would lead to an unexpected discovery—a rare brain tumor.
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Physicians Put Heart Into Toddler’s Care Plan
Family finds patient-centered care at Stanford for toddler son with Down syndrome.
Woman With Heart Problem Achieves Dream of Becoming a Mother, Twice Over
Stanford hospitals collaborated closely to provide deeply specialized care to expectant mom with heart condition.
Twins Born on “Twosday” at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
Twins Mihika and Mishika Adlakha were born on a palindrome “Twosday” – 2/22/22 at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health – Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
Groundbreaking Heart-Lung Procedure Gives Toddler a Chance at a Full Life
Novel heart-lung procedure gives toddler a chance at a full life. Heart team combines two highly complex specialties in an unique surgical procedure.
New Heart, New Chance for Young Man with Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Stanford doctors use uncommon practice to save Becker muscular dystrophy patient.
From Loss Comes Hope: Early Clinical Trial Results Show Promise for Treating Pediatric Brain Tumor
When Jace Ward came to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford to join a clinical trial for a novel therapy, he had been fighting a deadly brainstem tumor for more than a year. A group of Stanford scientists published data from the trial Ward joined.
Feisty Micropreemie With Heart Defect Beats Incredible Odds
Smallest baby at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health to have heart stent placed for tetralogy of Fallot.
Back on the High Dive After Surgery for Rare Joint Condition
After powering through elbow pain due to osteochondritis dissecans, Jaiden got help from our experts.
Resilient Teen Receives Stanford Medicine Children’s Health 500th Heart Transplant
Resilient teen becomes Stanford Medicine Children’s Health’s legendary 500th heart transplant.
A Teen’s Lofty Tribute to the Organ Donor Who Saved His Life
Branden Dever, SCH kidney transplant patient will ride atop the Donate Life float at the upcoming Rose Bowl parade honoring organ donors.
Easygoing Teen Goes Hard on the Court
After fracturing a bone in her ankle, Paige turned to a team of sports medicine and rehab experts at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health—and not for the first time.
Teen Closes in on Recovery after Meniscus Injury
After tearing his meniscus during a basketball game, Branden turned to the sports medicine experts at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Rare Condition Does Not Stop Woman’s Dream of Becoming a Mother
Patient partners with Stanford physician to deliver successfully after previous NH diagnosis.
Pregnant Mom Survives Life-Threatening COVID Infection, Delivers Healthy Baby
A multidisciplinary team of Stanford experts came together to save Lorena and her baby after complications from COVID-19.
Airway Surgery Lets Lovy Breathe Easier
Repairing a baby’s pulmonary artery sling and congenital tracheal stenosis requires experience and interdisciplinary teamwork.
Avery’s Family Finds Answers in Her Genes
A diagnosis of Coffin-Lowry syndrome and monitoring by a team of experts puts a family at ease.
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford Celebrates 30 Years of History
Since 1991, the hospital and health system have logged more than 6.1 million clinic visits, 2041 solid organ transplants, and 129,574 births.
Newborn Avoids Surgery With Stanford Medicine’s Unique Treatment for a Small Jaw
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is the first to provide this procedure in the country.
Heart Surgery Averts Transplant and Turns Teen From Blue to Pink
Family of teen was told she couldn’t be saved, but doctors at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health offered solutions.
Humbly but Persistently Working Toward a Superhuman Status
With his Stanford PACT team’s help, a young man reaches rare milestone by living with a VAD for 10 years.
Snuggling Your Newborn Against Your Skin Not Only Feels Good—It’s Doing Good
Our expert neonatologist-researcher and director of small baby-unit addresses the most common questions about the benefits of skin-to-skin care in this Q&A article.
Up and Running Again, With Heart
Roza received a new pair of lungs, a new heart, and a new chance at life.
1,000th Stem Cell Transplant Given to Girl Who Is One in a Million
Shriya is one in a million. For starters, she’s a 9-year-old girl who will talk… Read more »
Most Valuable Player
A full liver transplant was his best chance of survival.
Living a Whole Life With Half a Brain
Complex brain surgery cures severe epilepsy in 7-year-old boy.
Tiniest Baby of 2019 Beats Odds to Become Busy Toddler
Specialized teams serve as lifeline for parents of children with medically complex needs.
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Doctors Help Teen Live Well with Kidney Disease
Since 7 years old, Reagan has braved dialysis, surgery, and even a kidney transplant to battle a disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).
Best Present Ever! New Heart for Baby’s First Birthday
Baby born with a very rare condition received expert care culminating with a heart transplant from one of the best heart teams in the country.
Boy Wrestles Tough Surgeries for Alagille Syndrome and Wins
A multidisciplinary approach pins down the best care for a complex, rare heart condition.
A Teenager Doesn’t Let a Serious Heart Condition Get Too Serious
Quick-witted teen gets treated for a rare genetic heart condition, and arrhythmia by one-of-a-kind cardiology team at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
A Teenager Tracks Down Treatment for an Unique Arrhythmia
An inquisitive teenager and a determined cardiologist work together to treat a rare type of pediatric arrhythmia which required a different approach.
The Power of Song
Music therapy helps family comfort their baby while spending time in the NICU at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
Bucky’s Story: Meet the Youngest Baby to Have an Intricate Liver Surgery at Packard Children’s
Biliary atresia is a rare disease, occurring in about 1 in 12,000 U.S. births.
Bass Center Stays Busy and Focused During the Pandemic
Young boy successfully treated for aplastic anemia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Short Bowel, Big Life for Adopted Girl
Cali was born with gastroschisis, a birth defect where her intestines grew outside her body.
Rare Treatment Clears Gallstones in Newborn
About 150 ERCP procedures a year are performed at LPCH, about 10% in infants.
Girl in Bloom: The Story of a Teen’s Transition
Rose was born a boy, but she’s always felt like a girl.
Meet a Feisty 23-Weeker
Emiliana was born extremely early, when Christine was 23 weeks and three days pregnant—still in her second trimester.
Novel Treatment Eliminates Need for Liver Transplant in Newborn
A spirit of cooperation drives care and research at Packard Children’s.
Alex: 10 Seizures: 0
Persistence, teamwork, high-tech imaging, and surgical advances help 10-year-old boy leave his disabling seizures behind.
From Comprehensive Care to Finding Cures, Fighting Sickle Cell Disease
Stanford Medicine Children’s brings team-based care and new treatments to patients with sickle cell disease.
Exceptional Lifelong Care for Congenital Heart Disease Takes a Trusted, Team Approach
Even successfully treated congenital heart defects require lifelong monitoring and specialized treatment.
Two Patients, One Lifesaving Procedure
Packard Children’s Hospital is one of the few medical centers that can offer EXIT procedure.
Girl Power Strong at Stanford’s Spine Program
Two days a week, Stanford Medicine Children’s patients with scoliosis—most of whom are teen girls—are treated by all-women team of doctors and nurses.
Partnership With John Muir Health Keeps East Bay Preemies Close to Home
Critical Care Transport Expanded to East Bay
Telehealth Visits and Advanced Technology Help Teen Diagnosed With Heart Condition during Pandemic
Telehealth visits and at-home monitoring made it possible for a teenager to be diagnosed and treated for a heart condition with minimal personal contact.
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Doctors Help Newborn With Tongue-Tie to Breastfeed Successfully
Doctors team up to help infant with tongue-tie.
Research, Rest, Recovery After Knee Injury
Sports medicine experts helped Thomas recover from osteochondritis dissecans and return to basketball.
Pushing the Limits for Patients
Due to COVID-19 extra protocols were taken in the operating room, including N-95 masks and extra PPE.
Teen Survives Lymphoma and Says Thanks by Giving Back
After fighting lymphoma at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, a teenager uses her Make-a-Wish to give back to other patients.
Multiple Joys
Four sets of twins are born in the span of 32 hours at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
Creative Ways We Are Supporting Hospital Patients During COVID-19
In the age of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), Stanford Medicine Children’s Health has been… Read more »
Safely Caring for Patients during COVID-19
Care teams work to ensure safe, quality care during a global pandemic.
A CORE Care Team Reduces Families’ Burden
A unique Stanford team helps families tackle the financial, logistical, and emotional challenges of caring for their medically complex children.
Claire Dances Into a Bright Future With CF
Claire has cystic fibrosis, but new treatments that attack the disease at the genetic level are helping her live a full life.
Snapshot Reveals Rare Skull Condition in Toddler
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is home to one of a small number of programs in the country that offer expert, multidisciplinary care for complex craniosynostosis patients.
Thriving After A Devastating Heart Prognosis
A determined mom fights to find lifesaving treatment for her son’s Williams syndrome.
Doctors Diagnose a Rare Case of Botulism
A quick diagnosis by doctors at Pediatric Group of Monterey and LPCH lead to a complete recovery for an infant with a rare case of botulism.
Child Thrives After Laryngeal Cleft Surgery
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health’s Aerodigestive and Airway Reconstruction Center uses collaborative, multispecialty approach to get to root of puzzling symptoms.
New Hope for Children with Aortic Valve Disorders
Innovative Ozaki valve repair technique reverses heart failure and improves functioning.
Half a Heart and a Whole Lot of Spirit
Patient with rare heart disease thrives thanks to a fighting spirit and a highly knowledgeable care team.
Heart Monitoring Device Brings Comfort to New Parents
Not the youngest, but possibly the smallest baby in the nation to receive an ICD.
Boy’s Unstoppable Smile Defies Challenging Start
Treating lower urinary tract obstruction in the womb helped get Kaleb to a transplant and an active life.
Eva and Erika: Mastering kindergarten, movement and big vocabularies!
We checked in with formerly conjoined twin sisters Eva and Erika Sandoval, who in 2016 were surgically separated at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
Mom Braves New Territory to Give Daughter with Spina Bifida Her Best Shot
Fetal surgery gives a baby with spina bifida the best chance at a healthy life.
Caring for Patients with Complex Conditions
Teamwork helps teen survive rare cancer.
Hope Has a New Home
Nurses remember those who found strength in the Bass Center as they move to a new space.
Storytime at NICU
Stanford researchers seek to demonstrate how parents talking can influence healthy development in preterm babies.
Falcon Quarterback Soars after Unique HIFU Procedure
Doctors used an innovative approach called high intensity focused ultrasound to remove a tumor called an osteoid osteoma without surgery or radiation.
A Micro-preemie Grows Up and Gives Back
Seventeen-year-old Irika Katiyar is a fierce squash player, Bollywood dancer and singer. She plans to become a doctor after going to college.
ROSA™ and Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery May Cure Epilepsy
The goal was to cure Brynn’s epilepsy without taking anything away from her quality of life.
What a Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Doctor Has Learned from Her Child with Down Syndrome
Raquel Nieves, MD, talks about caring for children with Down syndrome or other special needs from both a professional and personal perspective.
Groundbreaking 3-D Imaging and Pain Control Innovations Help Math Whiz Recover Quickly
Doctors diagnose and repair sunken chest using Nuss procedure with 3-D imaging and ESP block for pain, minimizing exposure to radiation and recovery time.
Hope Sparks from Camp Fire Aftermath for Boy with Clubfoot
Rider is running and playing after surgery and bracing to treat his clubfoot.
Quick Action and CPR Saves Local Teen After Sudden Cardiac Arrest
First responders involved in resuscitating a teen girl following her sudden cardiac arrest were honored by members of Revive.
Teen Adopts USC’s Fight-On Rally Call to Tackle Injuries
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital saves limb of teen with complex orthopedic surgery and microvascular surgery with skin, bone and vein grafts.
Stranger Donates Kidney to Save Young Packard Children’s Patient Thanks to the Power of Social Media
NBC Bay Area Proud tells the story of a stranger who saved a two-year-old Packard Children’s patient in need of a kidney transplant.
Hello says it all for Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team
A 4-year-old boy is alive today thanks to a complex life support machine and an exceptional transport team.
Coming Full Circle: Former Packard Children’s Patient Returns as a Resident
When Ryan Lion, MD, began his pediatrics residency at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford this summer, he already knew some of the doctors and nurses he would be working with. Ten years prior, they saved his life.
Mother of Childhood Cancer Survivor Comes Full Circle, Returns to Packard Children’s—as a Nurse
She donated the end-of-treatment bell to Packard Children’s. Seven years later, she’s working in the same unit where her daughter received care.
An Alabama Family Searches for Answers About Schimke Immuno-osseous Dysplasia
A condition that affects just seven children in the U.S. brings siblings Kruz and Paizlee Davenport to Packard Children’s.
Cleft and Craniofacial Center Fosters Patient’s Dream to Entertain
Mathias had bilateral cleft lip and palate when both sides of his lip from his mouth to his nose were open along with the roof of his mouth or palate.
Hefty Nicknames for 2019’s Tiniest Baby
There’s a little superhero in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
An Unusual Stem Cell Transplant Saves Two Brothers
Brothers Ronnie and Levi Dogan were born with a very rare condition called IPEX syndrome. Packard Children’s was the first in the U.S. to offer a unique stem cell transplant they would both need for survival.
Mallory’s Legacy—Living with Optimism and Cystic Fibrosis
Stanford University graduate and cystic fibrosis patient Mallory Smith lived life vibrantly until her death at age 25. She left behind a memoir, “Salt in My Soul – An Unfinished Life,” that reveals much about hope, love, care and chronic illness.
Families of Heart Donor, Transplant Recipient Meet for the First Time
Hana, a heart patient at Packard Children’s, and her family meet the family of Leo, her heart donor.
Battling Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Micro Preemie Determined to Celebrate His First Birthday
Jase is now breathing better after battling bronchopulmonary dysplasia and surfactant dysfunction.
Hadlee’s Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Story
A Wyoming family’s search for answers to their daughter’s frequent seizures led them to experts at Packard Children’s.
Life Before and After Organ Transplant
Donate Life Month: Families share the challenges and victories of awaiting organ transplant.
Youth wheelchair basketball tournament rolls into Stanford
Four teams of young wheelchair basketball players took to the court at Stanford’s Arrillaga Family Recreation Center last month.
Squaring off against cancer on World Cancer Day
Two-year-old Cru Silva comes out swinging against retinoblastoma as we celebrate how we help kids with cancer heal.
From surviving to thriving – teen puts her mark on a major brand
Kirsten Brown is no ordinary teenager. This 16-year-old is a heart transplant patient, a stroke survivor – and a Nike patient-designer with a powerful message of hope and inspiration.
Celebrating 1 year in our new hospital
One year ago on December 9, we moved 90 patients into our brand new Main… Read more »
Athena’s story: Sharing her journey through transplant
In her own words, a transplant patient’s personal essay: “I am the girl with a history of restrictive cardiomyopathy.”
Avery runs into a healthy future
After being diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans and undergoing surgery on her knees, Avery is on the mend and hopes to be running again soon.
New country, new bone marrow
Seven-year-old Ikkei Takeuchi likes to say he has two birthdays, the day in April when… Read more »
Formerly conjoined twins reach major milestone
We recently checked in on the Sandoval twins of Antelope Valley, California. The girls, Erika and Eva, who are now 4-years-old, are smiling big as ever — with good reason!
Grace through grief
One family’s story of spiritual care at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
Claire’s story: A 6-year-old San Luis Obispo girl’s triumphant battle with lymphoma
NBC’s “Bay Area Proud” featured Claire’s inspiring story on November 1, 2018: “Days after final… Read more »
A chance encounter between a Packard Children’s NICU nurse and her former patient
A heart-warming reunion at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford between neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse Vilma Wong and one of her former patients has gone viral!
San Jose police officers deliver cheer to a patient awaiting heart transplant
“Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do…” The recognizable Cops theme song is going to… Read more »
Young Merced patient hero pays it forward to Packard Children’s
Following two complex surgeries for a rare tumor, 16-year-old Lucca is paying it forward with his “Pack It Up for Packard” art supply drive.
Congenital heart patient happy and healthy at 8 months
Lola is happy and healthy at 8 months after undergoing open heart surgery for a congenital heart defect.
A Giants surprise for patients at Packard Children’s
Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants stopped by to visit with patients undergoing treatment in our Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases.
Finding a voice through technology
For most of her life, Alyssa Davilla has only been able to communicate a handful of feelings and phrases. But this is all changing thanks to a new app.
A new smile for Pancho
A father shares his son’s story and gratitude for the cleft and craniofacial care team.
Celebrating Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process of the small intestine, which is connected to the stomach.
What gene discovery means for families and physicians seeking answers to medical mysteries
Families and physicians seeking answers to the medically unknown turn to genomics experts to unlock secrets hidden in genes.
Rebounding from extraordinary challenges
When Ben Thornton wheeled onto the court for the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program’s youth wheelchair basketball West Coast Conference Championship at Stanford, it was a game he was certain to play with heart — the same heart, in fact, that he received at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford nearly 12 years ago.
Now Seizure Free, Gracin Gets Her Words Back
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford is using the innovative ROSA™ technology to help children suffering from prolific seizure disorders.
A school away from school
The Hospital School provides four hours of class every day for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, taught by accredited teachers.
The Four-Pound Fighter
An ambulance rushed Dane to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. At four-pounds Dane Conrads was the smallest transplant the team had ever done.
Tessa’s mystery condition gets a diagnosis
The Nye family spent years chasing a diagnosis for Tessa, who experienced hundreds of seizures a day, but doctors found no genetic cause for her disorder.
Fighting brain cancer with the help of Stanford basketball
11-year-old Ty Whisler stood before the Stanford men’s basketball team as the honorary captain for their rival game against Oregon.
Fit to Run: A rare heart procedure for Ziyan Liu
A rare heart support helped middle-schooler Ziyan Liu survive to transplant with a single ventricle heart.
A Valentine’s Day visit filled with heart
For Oakland Raiders cornerback TJ Carrie, Valentine’s Day has a special meaning – it is the anniversary of his open-heart surgery to repair what doctors describe as a one-in-a-million heart defect.
Aerodigestive and Airway Reconstruction Team Provides Coordinated Quality Care for Anthoney’s Complex Condition
Meet the Riccomini family whose son Anthoney was battling tracheomalacia, a patient at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and the Aerodigestive Center.
Move day at Packard Children’s is here
Ninety-one patients were safely transferred to the new Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford expansion in a carefully orchestrated move.
New documentary describes heart transplant family’s journey
On Saturday, MSNBC aired a two-hour documentary called “Heartbreak: Saving the Binghams”.
Former cancer patient returns to open new doors
For Lydia, the impending opening of the new hospital brings back special memories, which ABC Bay Area highlighted in a recent story.
Nick keeps rolling after beating leukemia
Nick Norcia loves sports, especially hockey. But the Leigh High School senior is especially thankful to be back on the rink after battling leukemia.
Formerly conjoined twins Erika and Eva Sandoval are thriving
When they are not hopping, both girls are scooting quickly around on three limbs, playing and talking with gusto, and expressing themselves as individuals.
Omar’s Dream Keeps Kids Connected
19-year-old patient Nate Dennis-Benford gears up to run the 5th annual Omar’s Dream Foundation 10K Run on October 15.
Coordinated Care Among Many Specialists Helps 4-Year-Old Jack Thrive
Meet the Muñoz family with 4-year old Jack, a patient at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and the Aerodigestive Center.
Magnet technology corrects spinal disorders
Kora has early onset scoliosis (EOS), a severe spinal curvature that occurs when vertebrae develop incorrectly in utero.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month brings attention to deadly genetic disease — and a new treatment bringing hope for families.
National Cleft and Craniofacial Month
Mathias was born at Packard Children’s eight years ago, and he spent the first month of his life in the NICU receiving treatment for his multiple congenital anomalies.
“I share the same heart condition as Jimmy Kimmel’s son”
Christy was born with a type of congenital heart disease known as tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.
Siblings with double-lung transplants beat the odds
When 9-year-old David Diaz was wheeled into surgery for a double-lung transplant, he had an advantage almost no one in his situation has: his sister had the same rare surgery just three years earlier.
Dozens of casts later, a future without clubfoot
Anna Davis has had more than 50 casts in her under 10 years due to clubfoot. Dr. Gamble, pediatric orthopedic specialist, has helped her through the challenges of treatment for the condition.
Seamless care from Monterey to Palo Alto saves baby with brain cyst
Karina Barger and her husband David Goldman noticed something unusual with their 2-month-old son Bobby. He was consistently looking to the left and couldn’t bring his eyes to look straight ahead.
Baby born with half a heart supported with unusual ventricular assist device
Brayden McQuillan, now 3 months old, had a ventricular assist device implanted on his 18th day of life to help his failing heart pump blood.
Junior high school president saved by school staff after sudden cardiac arrest
Kenyati Thompson Jr. is returning to his life in Bakersfield, California, after recovering from a sudden, nearly fatal cardiac arrest at his school.
The surgery that helped a boy back onto the basketball court
An avid basketball player, Chris loves the Golden State Warriors and can spew out player statistics at any moment. But physiologically, Chris is very unique.
Heart transplant for Gage Bingham
Early Wednesday morning, after 512 days on the transplant wait list, 8-year-old Gage Bingham became the third child in his family to receive a new heart.
Teams on a transplant journey
Christopher Castillo and Lani Lasconia had been acquaintances since childhood, but could never have imagined how their paths would cross in adulthood to help save Lani’s daughter, Cyehnna.
Formerly conjoined twins returning to Sacramento
Formerly conjoined twins Eva and Erika Sandoval are one step closer to going home. The 2½-year-old sisters, who were surgically separated on Dec. 6, moved from Palo Alto to UC Davis Children’s Hospital in Sacramento.
Treating an overlooked heart condition
Marissa Eustaquio’s case was a mystery. After a strong recovery from heart surgery as a child, she’d been active for years, enjoying dancing, hula, gymnastics, running, and bike-riding.
A Family’s Journey
Joey was born with several congenital heart defects, including a large ventricular septal defect (VSD), severe Ebstein’s Anomaly, and a coarctation of his aorta.
Formerly conjoined twins update: Erika and Eva
Formerly conjoined twins Erika and Eva Sandoval, who were separated December 6 are making good progress on learning to live as two people.
Living a full life on a VAD
The youngest of five kids in the Bingham family, 8-year-old Gage is the third of his siblings to suffer from a life-threatening heart failure condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy.
The diagnosis behind the diagnosis
In July 2013, 14-year-old Milan Gambhir – who had been a healthy child – was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive and incurable brain tumors: glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
A New Vision for Palliative Care: Partners for Hope
One mother shares why the palliative care program has become a staple in her whole family’s care plan.
Growing up in a hospital: My 25 years with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
When you are a kid and you’re sick, you go to the pediatrician. If you have a chronic medical condition, as in my case, you establish a team of pediatric specialists who can provide for your health issues on a consistent basis throughout your childhood.
When a family vacation abroad turns to tragedy: Finding life-saving care and support far away from home
What was meant to be a trip to Disneyland in late summer 2015 turned to tragedy. Now, more than a year following the horrible car accident that changed their lives forever, the Liu family of Beijing is bringing their little girl home.
Patient Update: Hana’s busy being a happy toddler with her new heart
We introduced Hana Yago a few months ago when she was awaiting a heart transplant. Today, the Yago family of San Francisco are one step closer home and leaps and bounds closer to their “new normal.”
New technology used at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Ear Clinic brings back hearing for 9-year-old boy
“This is awesome!” Exclaimed nine-year-old Joshua Gomez, as he listened to his favorite song at his appointment at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Ear Clinic in Palo Alto on July 21. “Awesome” because he is now able to hear it more clearly than ever before.
Packard Children’s patient visits Capitol Hill to advocate for kids with complex medical conditions
On the heels of his preschool graduation, 4-year-old Tyler Briend kicked off his summer vacation by traveling to Washington D.C. to speak with lawmakers about improving health care access for kids like him – patients living with complex medical conditions. Tyler, a patient at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, and his parents made the trip as part of Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day, sponsored by the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA).
Stanford Trauma Center saves 10-year-old’s hand — and his life
When Elijah Olivas’s hand was severed in a car accident, dozens of experts from our pediatric trauma team coordinated to perform 20 hours of life- and limb-saving surgery.
Foster child gets a new liver and an adoptive family
Physician’s assistant, Melanie Merrill-Kennedy, adopts Pochie, a liver transfer patient under her care.
The Power of Organ Donation
April is Donate Life Month, and 14-year-old Sina Sulunga-Kahaialii of Hawaii is living proof that organ donation saves lives. She recently received a kidney transplant at our hospital due to chronic renal failure.
Works of Heart
Giving birth to her first child was a surreal experience for Tawny Aye — and not the way it is for most mothers.
A Super Bowl Surprise at Packard Children’s
Thanks to the power of social media, Denver Broncos star Vernon Davis answers a cancer patient’s wish.
World-first treatment for rare heart defect saves baby born at Packard Children’s
Linda Luna was five months pregnant with her first child when she got the bad news: Ultrasound scans showed a deadly defect in her baby boy’s heart. He had a 90 percent chance of dying before or just after birth. But thanks to a groundbreaking treatment at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, two-month-old baby Liam, who just went home to San Jose last week, is beating those odds.
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health orthopedists seeing a rise in ACL injuries among young girls
Young, athletic girls like Aminah Carter, 8, are being treated for sports injuries typically associated with adults and professional athletes.
Dateline NBC profiles Heart Center family at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford
Dateline NBC presented their 2nd national broadcast looking at the personal and medical journey the Binghams have faced, along with the many challenges ahead.
What’s wrong with baby Wyatt?
What should have been one of their family’s happiest moments quickly turned somber as they feared the seriousness of Wyatt’s condition. The dermatology team suspected it could be a skin disease, but they couldn’t know for sure. Wyatt needed to be transferred to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
After radiation-free treatment for their son’s brain cancer, family travels 6100 miles every year to reunite with their care team at Packard Children’s
Recently, the Loh family, originally from the Bay Area, was in town for their annual visit from Shanghai to check in with son Elliot’s care team. They reflected on the experience of traveling across the world to give their son the best treatment possible.
Where are they now? Quadruplets edition
The Wang family is truly one in a million.
Kids with dangerous heart arrhythmias receive lifesaving support from high-tech, implantable devices at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
Our implantable cardioverter defibrillator team provides lifesaving support for young people like Reina Villarreal, who suffers from an abnormal heart rhythm.
Santa Clara woman with cystic fibrosis thanks CF Center at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health for successful journey to adult care
Lauren Catron, 26, credits the specialists at the Pulmonary and Cystic Fibrosis Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford for keeping her alive.
Teen’s rare congenital heart defect fixed at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
A Salinas teen faced a heart defect that could lead to sudden death, so our Heart Center leads the way in fixing a defect more common that most doctors realize.
Illinois boy saved by super-surgeon
Jordan Ervin, 6, had 26 areas of blood flow blockage from his heart to his lungs. Surgeon Frank Hanley repaired all of the blockages in one marathon surgery.
Cochlear implants give young boy with Down syndrome a new lease on life at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford
Doctors at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health have proven that cochlear implants in deaf children with developmental delay can help them from falling further behind their peers.
A Heartfelt Valentine’s Party for CHD Awareness Week
On Sunday, February 8, dozens of patient families with children that have congenital heart disease gathered to celebrate lives saved and CHD Awareness Week (2/7/15 – 2/14/15).
Teen traveled 3000 miles, from CT to Stanford, for life-changing neck surgery
Less than one month after reading about “stealth surgery” online, Jennifer traveled cross-country for an innovative surgery that helped her turn the corner from a painful past toward a brighter future.
With mass in chest removed, looks like newborn Angel Gomez is going to be just fine
East Bay mom says she was told to consider terminating high-risk pregnancy, so she sought a 2nd opinion at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, where the baby was saved.
Teen in Shasta Lake already got her present, the gift of life
ABC 7’s Lilian Kim reports on heart transplant recipient Lizzie Johnson, 14, and her family, about receiving the ultimate gift for Christmas this year, a new heart and a second chance at life.
Interventional Radiology program at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford leads the way with a child-friendly approach
Thanks to a new Pediatric Interventional Radiology program at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, the first of its kind in the Bay Area, kids can often forgo anesthesia and, in some cases, surgery for many of their treatments.
Heart transplant recipient celebrates historic 30-year anniversary
Lizzy Craze, 32, is the only heart transplant recipient in America, and likely the world, to survive 30 years with the same donor heart she received as a toddler.
Unusual leg surgery at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford doesn’t hold wrestling champ back
A San Jose teen and wrestling champ has regained full function after a complex surgery on his leg and back.
Parents from the United Kingdom travelled over 5,000 miles to save daughter Isla’s heart
When parents of baby Isla found out at 16 weeks of pregnancy that their baby had a heart defect, atrioventricular septal defect, or AVSD, they traveled from the UK to the US to get help from pediatric surgeon Dr. Frank Hanley and cardiologist Dr. Stafford Grady.
Lifesaving kidney transplants at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford give Hawaii siblings the chance to get growing
Siblings Dominic and Julia Faisca had a rare kidney disease that stunted their growth. Thanks to our top-ranked transplant teams, the kids are now back home in Hawaii and “growing like weeds,” according to their doctor.
Two Generations Turn to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford for Cleft Lip and Palate Care
The moment Vanessa Garcia of Hollister, Calif., was born in 1985, doctors knew that the two gaps in her top lip and the division of her upper gums would make it impossible for her to eat.
Rare heart-lung transplant allows 12-year-old girl to have a second chance at life
A Minnesota doctor diagnosed Katie Grace, now 12, with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension “IPAH,” at only 5 years old, and didn’t expect her to live. But the spunky lover of swimming beat the odds of that diagnosis, and received a rare heart-lung transplant in June.
‘Lipstick Girl’ Gets Big Birthday Wish: A Life-Saving Double Lung Transplant
Doris Diaz battled with severe cystic fibrosis. After her double lung transplant, Doris is able to take deep breaths for the first time in her life.
Teen is now able to eat, sleep and gain weight again
A gastroenterologist diagnosed teen with a swallowing disorder in which tight muscle fibers in the lower esophagus prevent food and liquids from passing
Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Services teams help Hadi walk for the first time
Back home at the Tulkarem refugee camp in the West Bank, Palestine, 6-year-old Hadi Alkhadra has had to crawl or be carried by his parents his entire life.
A chance discovery, and a decision to wait
In 2005 13-year-old Monica Datta joined several other young people in undergoing MRIs as part of a research study at Stanford University. Unlike everyone else, Datta’s unexpectedly revealed a spot in her brain that nobody had known about.
Fetal intervention saves baby Elijah
Elizabeth Rodriguez-Garcia was nearly six months pregnant when she arrived at a routine ultrasound in July 2013. It would be the first baby, a boy, for Elizabeth and her husband Salvador Alvarez.
Back to karate after beating liver transplant odds
A liver tumor for 5-year-old Finn might have required a transplant, but our doctors had a better plan.
Two Shelbys share soccer, sisters, type 1 diabetes and inspiration
Shelby Scott, age 10, has a lot in common with Stanford senior forward, Shelby Payne. Together, their examples give kids with type 1 diabetes hope for a very bright future.
Sports Concussions Vary for Boys and Girls
Specialists from our Brain, Behavior and Neurosciences Center discuss the signs, symptoms and safest care for concussions—and why girls’ rates are rising.
Putting Pain in the Past
13-year-old Jaden is finally migraine-free, thanks to collaboration between Packard Children’s and California Pacific Medical Center.
Leukemia Behind Her, Golf Championships Ahead
After years of treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia, 12-year-old Grace Chen is disease-free and making her mark through her game.
Rare triplets make their debut!
The Finlen family of Salinas is feeling pretty lucky today. Their newborn triplets, born at… Read more »
Dateline NBC Profiles Family’s Heart Journey
This Wednesday, June 5, at 8 pm, Dateline NBC will present the fascinating story of the Bingham family’s medical journey at Packard Children’s. It should be one of Dateline’s most talked-about programs of the year.
Mother’s Gift: A Life-Saving Kidney For Her Daughter
To care for her daughter, Lori Vargas first had to care for herself: a diet and fitness regimen helped her qualify to be a living organ donor. She lost close to 40 pounds – and saved her daughter’s life.
From Nurturing Care, A Nurse is Born
In the history of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Misty Blue Foster is remembered as a… Read more »
"Kicking for Miracles" Raises Over $10K!
The first-ever “Kicking for Miracles” event, hosted by World Class Tae Kwon Do in San… Read more »
From the Heart
Karina Gomez’s daughter, Kassaundra, was born in 2002 with a rare and life-threatening cardiac abnormality. At just 2 days old, Packard heart surgeons attached a tiny pacemaker to one of the two lower chambers, or ventricles, of her heart. Five months later, it was replaced it with a more advanced device wired to both ventricles.
My Packard Story: Keira and David
A kidney tumor sent Brandon to Packard Children’s when he was just 17 months old and a recurrence brought him back when he was 2. Today Brandon is a happy, healthy 11-year-old with no signs of cancer.
Something to Smile About
A year ago, Jon and Kristi Cannon feared their young son would never smile again…. Read more »
Prom Night Lets Kids Forget They’re Patients
In jackets and ties, party dresses and heels, more than 125 young patients and their… Read more »
Balancing Care with Busy Boyhood
It’s been more than seven years since Cole Rossi was cured of a rare brain cancer. The tumor and therapy left him with low levels of growth hormone, double vision, and physical weakness. He remains on hormone treatment and gets MRIs twice a year. He sees an oncologist every six months and a neurologist every other year.
Noah’s Tiny Voice Speaks Volumes
Noah Jackson was born without a voice. Because of a rare genetic disease, his airway… Read more »
My Packard Story: Maggie
Born with a congenital heart malformation, Maggie’s daughter, Grace, found her place in the hearts of the physicians, surgeons, nurses, and staff who helped her grow into a normal healthy childhood.
Rooting for Luke
Ongoing chemotherapy means that 8-year-old Luke O’Moore of Los Gatos cannot take part in his beloved BMX races. So members of the northern California BMX community came together to organize an exciting pro-am racing series and fundraiser in his honor.
A Rocky Start
Katie Jo Shuman pitches for her school’s softball team, and loves basketball and soccer. She also has an artistic, entrepreneurial streak: One of her hobbies is designing and selling jewelry for good causes.
Appetite for Life
Caitlin Burns was born with an immune deficiency and pseudo-obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, a life-threatening condition that prevents the normal movement of food through her intestines. Packard specialists have been caring for her since she was an infant.
Three Days, Three Hearts
In an extremely rare three-day series of transplants in May, three young adults received new hearts at the Children’s Heart Center at Packard Children’s, including an extraordinarily uncommon double-organ heart and liver transplant.
Bonded Forever Through the Miracle of Transplant
“There’s nothing like having a bond with someone else who knows exactly what you’re going through.”
Two Separate Little Girls
Angelina and Angelica Sabuco are running around, making new friends, and looking forward to their 3rd birthday party in August—their first as two separate little girls. “That is a great birthday gift!” said their mother Ginady Sabuco. “They love to run around, go out, and play with other children now.” It’s hard to believe that a short while ago, these same two girls were struggling to even walk and faced an uncertain future.
