Skinnier arms and legs and exhaustion to the point of taking naps. These were the initial signs that left Jamie wondering if there was something wrong with her 5-year-old son, Jacob. Weeks later, the most alarming sign appeared: blood clots in his urine. Jacob was taken to his local pediatrician and it was there a large lump […]
Cancer / Oncology
CHOC patient fulfills a final wish, shaves favorite CHOC staffer’s head
Daya Tamayo grabbed the electric clippers and prepared to go to town. “Could you remove the white hair too?” joked Jaime Serna, a CHOC staff member. Daya beamed as she began to give a buzz cut to Jaime, her close confidant and a patient engagement coach and educator in nursing administration at CHOC. Jaime was […]
Cutting-edge device approved for compassionate use saves leg, life of young girl
When 7-year-old Naomi Adrian took a spill on the school playground earlier this year and a schoolmate fell on top of her left leg, she got up with a slight limp. After what appeared to be a bruise kept growing, and as Naomi continued to walk awkwardly, her mother, Maria Nino, took her to the […]
For inspiring cancer survivor, it’s 1st and goal
Israel, a standout athlete, spent his junior year of high school fighting cancer and returned home just before the onset of COVID-19. Now a senior, he’s working to get back on the football field and grateful to have his cancer journey behind him.
Superhero Austin fights cancer
When you arrive to the hematology and oncology unit at CHOC Hospital, there’s someone you won’t miss — and if you do, he’ll make sure you notice him. Three-year-old Austin, a CHOC patient, is a bundle of energy and can often be found running around in a costume, jamming out to his favorite music or yelling out, “Hi!” to everyone […]
A gain against pain
A child, resting in bed, fires up her 7-inch tablet and opens an app. She selects from a variety of cartoon avatars — such as a panda or penguin — and backgrounds that include a colorful ocean floor with fish and other sea creatures. Game on. But this isn’t a typical game. It’s a kid-friendly […]
9 ways to protect immunocompromised children from COVID-19
We know how frightening the COVID-19 pandemic may be for parents – especially parents of immunocompromised children. At this time, the full impact of COVID-19 on children, especially those with compromised immune systems, is unknown. However, limited information so far shows that most healthy children with the virus have done well. Here are some recommendations […]
