Dance Marathon
at Howard Univarsity
Meet Our Miracle Kids!
Amanda
Diagnosis: Ewing's Sarcoma
Just after celebrating her second birthday, Amanda was diagnosed with a bone cancer rarely found in children her age called Ewing's Sarcoma. In the midst of chemotherapy treatments, Amanda had to have her led amputated. "Her doctor assured us that his man goal was 'to make sure that Amanda outlives us all,'" her mother said.
Amanda loves her "J" leg, and is currently in remission. She is a charismatic 11-year-old who loves to sing, dance, and can even outrun many of her friends at school.
"Amanda has a spirit about her that many people have never experienced - she is strong, outgoing, and is always smiling," her mother said.
Amanda is Washington, DC's 2010
Children's Miracle Network Champion.
Brooke
Diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukemia
In July of 2010, Brooke's family had just returned from a lovely family vacation. Little did they know, in a matter of days, their "normal" world would change. In the following weeks, Brook received blood work for a rash, but the test results discovered that Brooke's condition was far more serious. She had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
It quickly became clear that Brooke's best chance of survival would be a bone marrow transplant. Luckily her sister was a perfect match and stepped in as the hero when she became Brooke's bone marrow donor. Today, Brooke is a normal and happy 3 year old!
"We are so grateful to Dr. Jacobsohn and the whole team at Children's National Medical Center for their hard work. Without them we would not have the hope we have today." -Brooke's mom
Chase
Diagnosis: Swallowed Lye-Based Drain Cleaner
Seven-year-old Chase is the youngest of four children in his family. He loves to play kickball and softball. His mother describes him as active, friendly, and "a real people person." But, when he was just three years old, Chase incurred a near fatal injury that required more than 32 surgical procedures.
Chase and his older sister were getting ready for bed when he accidentally used a lye-based cleaner instead of toothpaste to brush his teeth. "His throat was badly burned," his mother, Antoinette, says. "His dad rushed him to the local emergency room, where Chase was medevacked to Children's National."
Chase spent 3 weeks in the PICU before he was stable enough to have surgery. The lye had destroyed his esophagus and epiglottis, and he couldn't breathe or swallow. His near fatal injury would require more than 32 surgical procedures. After Chase had healed from the initial surgeries, the doctors discovered that the scarring in Chase's throat had closed his airway. He would need a tracheotomy to open his airway and be able to breathe on his own.
Chase faces continued surgeries. His otolaryngology and gastroenterology teams see Chase every 3 to 4 months to monitor his dietary needs and ensures he's growing appropriately. As Chase grows, his stint grows with him. The doctors at Children's National hope to slowly increase and secure his airway, and remove the stint by adulthood.
Micah
Diagnosis: Congenital Heart Defect
Micah came to Children's National for treatment before she was even born. When her mother, Teri, was 20 weeks pregnent, Micah was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect in utero. Because of Micah's delicate condition, Teri was sent to Children's National to be a part of the Children's Fetal Heart Program.
Teri and Micah were moniteres closely during pregnancy, and Micah was born by Cesarean section at 33 weeks. "The docs told me she would come out blue, not breathing, and in need of resuscitation. But she came out loud and crying."
Micah had her first open heart surgery when she was only 14 days old. "Before she turned one, she had three open heart surgeries. She had four cardiac catheterizations. Surgery for reflux. She had a G-tube to be fed through her stomach. Her hart had to be shocked to slow it down several times."
At eight months, Micah needed another surgery. That surgery left her heart enlarged to the point where her tiny chest could not be closed. Once her heart returned to normal size and her chest was closed, her mother and the doctors saw a different baby then. She rebounded quicker than expected.
"My daughter's living proof of the care Children's offers. She is AMAZING -- put that in capital letters! She's amazing because of Children's."
Jessica
Diagnosis: Spina Bifida
Jessica has been seen by the doctors at Children's National since birth. When Jessica was three and a half, doctors suggested that her parents put her in martial arts or ballet to help her with her balance, as well as her coordination.
"When Jessica first started martial arts, she would fall when she ran or did her kicks. She could not even skip," her mom said. "Now ten years old, Jessica can run, kick, and skip. Recently, she tested and received her blue belt in Kung Fu. She accomplished this feat exactly one year from when doctors operated on her. I thank God fot the Children's National staff, because she has a much better quality of life and is able to have successes like this one."
Jessica is Washington, DC's 2009
Children's Miracle Network Champion.
Olivia
Diagnosis: Cardiomyopathy
At just six months old, doctors found Olivia had an enlarged heart. She was immediately transported via helicopter to Children's National Medical Center where she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. The family spent over 100 days at Children's National while Olivia awaited a heart transplant. Nicknamed the "Princess of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit" by the nurses, Olivia received her heart transplant in 2005 and is flourishing today.
Zoie
Diagnosis: Stage 4 Wilm's Tumor
At just 3 years old she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Wilm's Tumor. The cancer, initially in her left kidney, had spread to her lungs and also around a major vein (inferior vena cava). Zoie endured six months of chemotherapy, complete removal of her left kidney, and radiation.
Today, Zoie is 6 years old, and CANCER FREE! She is a bundle of energy who enjoys gymnastics, swimming, drawing, and playing with her two younger siblings.
Zoie is Washington, DC's 2013
Children's Miracle Network Champion.