Patient Stories

Baby Ava in the NICU

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Three children, three journeys: Finding strength through specialized colorectal care

Noah at home

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Thirteen hospitalizations, one unstoppable spirit: Noah’s journey with cystic fibrosis

Patient posing with Choco

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Diagnosed at age 20 with cancer, she knows the value of being treated at CHOC

featured image - Cynthia and Elijah

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A nurse’s lasting touch: Elijah and Cynthia’s story

Aolani and Max at Day of the Dead festival

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Melodies of hope: Aolani and Max’s journey with autism and music

Easton holding his karate award certificate

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Easton’s cranioversary: Strength beyond the scar

Ezra at CHOC Walk in Disneyland

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A heart of resilience: Three open-heart surgeries later

CHOC's breathmobile

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A debate champion at age 11, Grace Olivera doesn’t let asthma slow her down

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A heartbeat of hope: Meyer’s miracle year

Girl with short hair and glasses

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Fertility preservation grows with ovarian tissue cryopreservation program

young girl in a flower dress holding a teddy bear

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Meet Bethany, a shining example for other complex urogenital and colorectal care patients

Craig Cherf and family

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Construction chief’s ties to CHOC run deep as son beats cancer

Lynn Wu and Busby

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Brain tumor has left her blind, but that hasn’t slowed this college-bound CHOC patient

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A challenging surgery, a positive experience: Sarah’s scoliosis story

Siblings Julissa and Joseph pose together and smile. Both were diagnosed with congenital health defects and treated at CHOC

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Siblings who share rare heart condition celebrate lives daily

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Pectus excavatum surgery sparks a passion for helping others: Avery’s story

Eliza and Norma during an inpatient stay at CHOC Hospital in Orange

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Supporting a child during cancer treatment: Norma’s story

CHOC heart patient Olivia smiles with mouth open following life-saving heart transplant

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Resilience and wonder mark heart-transplant patient Olivia’s journey

John and Cynthia reunion

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17-year-old John returns to CHOC to thank those who cared for him as a baby

Pectus excavatum patient, Brock, looks seriously into the camera with arms folded, wearing volleyball jersey.

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Pectus excavatum pain management strategy helps athlete Brock play better than ever

Kenny laughs with two birds on his shoulders

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Cancer survivor Kenny overcame daunting odds, leaves strong mark on CHOC care team

Eliza laughing at the 2023 CHOC Oncology Patient Ball

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Eight years’ worth of highs and lows: Eliza’s cancer journey

Karley, cancer patient at CHOC, received the support she needed from CHOC's rehab team

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Karley thrives with help from CHOC rehab team

Portrait of Belle, patient at CHOC, in front of wood paneled background

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Taking one day at a time: Belle’s cancer journey

Ethan in a grad cap and gown, holding his Kindergarten graduation certificate

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CHOC throws surprise kindergarten graduation party for ‘incredible heart hero’

Garrison Green, young baseball player who had emergency brain surgery, recovering at CHOC Hospital

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Baseball game leads to serious brain injury: Garrison’s story

Hudson and Cole smiling together at Disney California Adventure.

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Meet cancer survivor Hudson Kent, CHOC Walk ambassador

Siblings Hector and Elizabeth smile with their arms around each other

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An unexpected ischemic stroke: Hector’s Story

CHOC patient with type 1 diabetes in her dorm room taking a photo in a mirror on her phone, smiling

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Managing big life transitions with type 1 diabetes: Q&A with college student Sabrina

Child holds autism awareness puzzle pieces

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Enjoy the journey: Advice from one autism parent to another

Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center patient, Katherine, looks at the camera and smiles in front of greenery

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Hugs and smiles: Katherine’s autism story

Megan with her twins - Henry and Hugo, born at 22 weeks

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Meet Henry and Hugo: The youngest infants to graduate from CHOC’s NICU and Small Baby Unit

Damian smiling with lights and ornaments, celebrating 5 months of age

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Newborn with rare congenital heart defect beats the odds: Damian’s story

Dr. Wyman Lai, CHOC cardiologist, and Aubrey at a recent appointment at CHOC

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Rare congenital heart defect causes cardiac arrest: Aubrey’s story

Sophie gets the mental health support she needs at CHOC

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Mental health support leads to supporting others: Sophie’s story

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‘Type 1 diabetes is a part of who I am’: Hamza’s Story

Camila smiles while wearing her cochlear implants and a Disney costume

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Thanks to cochlear implants, 5-year-old Camila speaks three languages

Harper and Kortnie smiling together in tshirts that say "Bone marrow besties for life"

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Bone marrow transplant offers hope and new family: Harper’s story

Portrait of Vincent in front of greenery

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Young adult oncology program at CHOC gives purpose: Vincent’s story

Young boy plays with toy magnets

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Playing with tiny, high-powered magnet toys risky for young children

Portrait of joy smiling while sitting on an orange bench

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Seeking Joy: A mental health journey

Warren eating from a spoon

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Warren overcomes oral aversion with speech therapy in NICU

Freddy looks at the camera and smileswhile playing with a puzzle

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Large chest mass poses big challenges: Freddy’s NICU story

Lauren jumps and smiles

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Young adult cancer support makes all the difference: Lauren’s story

The Getz family at the Thompson Center for Autism

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Mapping out success: Lucas’ journey at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center

Bryce standing in front of his brain scans

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New treatment for epilepsy helps Bryce get back on the court

The Hernandez Family

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Aurora, 18 months, becomes the first graduate of CHOC’s Cardiac GI Nutrition Clinic

Alexander laying on rug smiling

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Born prematurely after mom battles COVID-19: Alexander’s story

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Unwavering joy during a life-threatening fight: Parker’s story

CHOC patient Logan with bandaged arm after receiving vaccine

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COVID-19 vaccine offers life-saving hope to high-risk teen

close up of window blind with cords

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Window covering cords still can be fatal to young ones

CHOC patient Ely receiving an infusion at CHOC

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Batten disease patients make CHOC a destination for kids with rare conditions

CHOC patient Matthew in hospital bed with nurse

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Beating COVID-19 and MISC-9: Matthew’s story

Lea and her parents at the beach

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Seamless primary and specialty care: Lea’s story

family photo after the NICU, mom, dad and twin girls

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Advice from one NICU mom to another

Amy holds Cora and Ellie in CHOC's Small Baby Unit.

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My experience as a NICU parent during the COVID-19 pandemic

BraveOnes family photo of Hendrix and his parents

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Families giving back: Spotlight on BraveOnes Foundation

CHOC heart patients Liam and Anaya hugging

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Two generations of CHOC heart families

CHOC NICU twin room with two incubators

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A new tool to empower CHOC NICU parents

family photo after the NICU, mom, dad and twin girls

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CHOC neonatologist’s granddaughters graduate from Small Baby Unit

Jacob getting a big hug from mom and dad

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Ringing in the new year cancer-free

Lauren in CHOC hospital after her window fall

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Window falls and children: Lauren’s story

CHOC patient Daya and Clare child life specialist

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CHOC patient fulfills a final wish, shaves favorite CHOC staffer’s head

school photo before epilepsy diagnosis

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Navigating an epilepsy diagnosis and surgery: Geni’s story

Naomi and twin sister Natalie at Disneyland with Pluto

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Device approved for compassionate use saves leg, life of young girl

baby Hope sitting in her car seat smiling

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Milestone procedure saves preemie with complex heart disease

Katrina addresses the crowd at a Katrina Kures fundraiser

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From CHOC patient to CHOC donor: Katrina’s story

CHOC patient Israel in the ocean on a boat

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For inspiring cancer survivor, it’s 1st and goal

Caleb running as a fundraiser for CHOC

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A lifelong battle with a rare disease: Caleb’s story

Austin wears a superhero costume at CHOC

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Superhero Austin fights cancer

CHOC patient Sydney and her father

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Wired for hope

young boy with dog

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How telehealth physical therapy helped CHOC patient take his first steps

Augustina leaving the pediatric intensive care unit

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Augustina’s heroic battle with COVID-19

Zachary and his family

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CHOC patients meet with legislators for advocacy week

Vinny pictured outside CHOC

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A magical emergency department visit

young patient with Dr. Eric Ball at a doctor's appointment

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The importance of well-checks during COVID-19

CHOC patient Robert smiling in his wheelchair outside

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Pharmacy delivery brings medications, peace of mind to CHOC families

Bud holding his daughter Emma over his shoulder

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What I’ve learned about life from my 3-year-old daughter

Nolan_seniorphoto

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From hotline to surgery – How CHOC guided a family through an emergency

Small child wearing white bear suit, walking along a tree-lined forest path

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Searching for hope while living with a rare disease

quinn-family

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Quinn goes home, thanks to CHOC’s cardiac high-risk interstage program

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How a car accident changed my life

antonio-music-therapy

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The benefits of music therapy: Antonio’s story

Tavik smiling at the camera while playing on a playground

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My son’s journey with congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM)

CHOC patient Camila celebrating her 5th birthday

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My daughter’s journey from seizures to surgery

Eleanor and Spencer with their sons, CHOC small baby unit graduates James and Walter

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One family, two NICU stays

CHOC patient Nehemiah posing in front of a fountain

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From CHOC mom to CHOC employee

CHOC volunteer Rosemary standing in the CHOC lobby

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Giving back through volunteering at CHOC: Rosemary’s story

Diyya smiling at the camera with two thumbs up

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The benefits of neurostimulation: Diyya’s story

Jenna posing for a portait at the beach

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How painless tonsillectomies are changing CHOC patients’ recoveries

CHOC patiebt Teddy wearing cape strikes a superhero pose

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A surprise heart defect diagnosis in utero: Teddy’s story

CHOC patient Jack posing with Angels baseball players

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More than just a picky eater

A photo of Kaleb on his graduation day with his family

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What it’s like to live with cystic fibrosis

Former CHOC patient and cancer survivor Brodie

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Beating brain cancer and giving back: Brodie’s story

CHOC patient Trinity with microphone at event

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From patient to advocate: Trinity’s journey with cleft lip and palate

Digital illustration close up of red blood cells in blood stream

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A years-long search for a diagnosis: Colton’s story

Mackenzie, a juvenile arthritis patient at CHOC, in hospital crib

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Living with juvenile arthritis: Mackenzie’s story

Casey recovers from scoliosis surgery at CHOC Hospital with company from her dad

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My journey with scoliosis: Casey’s story

The Ankeny family holding capes to honor former CHOC patient Carter

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Walking for a hero: CHOC Walk teams honor lost loved ones

CHOC patient Alyssa smiling while in hospital bed

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Bringing awareness to a rare kidney disorder: Alyssa’s story

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Living with polymicrogyria: Angelina’s story

CHOC surgeon Dr. Peter Yu holding twins Bowie and Finley

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Fighting through GERD: Bowie and Finley’s story

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Contending with Coarctation of the Aorta: Ella’s Story

CHOC patient Veer with his mom in preschool

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Ventricular Septal Defect: Veer’s Story

Gracie smiling next to sign that says "Today is activation day, April 11"

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Cochlear Implants as a Journey to Hearing: Gracie’s Story

CHOC patient Stella posing with her family on vacation

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Stella’s Journey with Bronchopulmonary Sequestration (BPS)

CHOC patient Lily and her sister Makenna

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Big Sister Gives Back to Honor CHOC

Rylee holding a sign that says "3 months seizure free"

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Restoring a Happy Childhood: Rylee’s Epilepsy Journey

CHOC patient Brianna with team of CHOC nurses celebrating her last chemo treatment

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Finding Someone Who “Gets It”

CHOC patient Brianna getting chemotherapy at CHOC cancer institute

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The Five Stages of Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis

CHOC patient Brianna dressed like Charlie Brown celebrating Halloween with her dog

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Finding Humor in Cancer

CHOC oncology patient Emma posing with strings of beads in her hands

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How a Bone Marrow Transplant Can Save Someone’s Life

Brianna celebrating her last chemo treatment at CHOC cancer institute

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What it’s Like to be Treated at a Children’s Hospital as a Young Adult

CHOC patient Brianna Miller outdoors in the snow

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Confidence and Cancer: How Cancer Changed the Way I Think

CHOC patient T.J. with his mom wearing matching t-shirts

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Surprise Diagnosis of Transposition of the Great Arteries: T.J.’s Story

Team Robby Gomez at CHOC Walk in the Park

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CHOC Family Honors their Little Hero Through CHOC Walk

Mickey and Minnie mouse at CHOC walk in the park celebrating with crowd

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Keeping it in the Family: Why a Disneyland Cast Member Joined CHOC Walk

Sarah in a hospital bed for a surgical treatment called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, or ETS surgery

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Living with Hyperhidrosis: Sarah’s Story

Portrait of CHOC patient NICO by ranch fence

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Warming Up to Wound Care: Nico’s Story

crowd of people walking through Downtown Disney for CHOC walk in the park

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How One CHOC Walk Corporate Team Generates More than Good Will

CHOC patient Taylor rollerblading in her neighborhood

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CHOC Physician Gains New Perspective After Daughter’s Injury

“Miracle Maddy” with her pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. William Loudon

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Six-year-old Beats the Odds Thanks to Life-Saving Brain Surgery at CHOC

mom holding baby's hand in hers

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Surprise heart defect diagnoses at birth: Noah’s story

CHOC volunteer Fran with CHOC patient Evelyn in the Family Resource Center

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CHOC Volunteer Forms Friendship with Patient

The Synder family siblings. Twin brothers are CHOC NICU graduates

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CHOC Sibling Gives Back Through Dance Marathon

Gladys Salazar and Paul Gomez kissing ther daughter on the cheek

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One Family’s Story of How CHOC Doctors Became Family

silhouette image of ribbon at finish line with winner crossing it

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CHOC Heart Institute Helps Teen Runner Overcome Hurdles

Trent after his first surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot.

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Tetralogy of Fallot Patient and his Family Give Back

CHOC patient Marco smiling with with food smeared on his face

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Catching a Heart Defect in Utero: Marco’s Story

Healthcare worker holding a model of a human spine pointing to one of its segments

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5-year-old Rayaan fights brain, spinal cord inflammation

Emma at CHOC walk holding a sign that says "I've rocked 3 heart surgeries"

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Innovation Comes Home

CHOC patient Austin all dressed up for a special occasion

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CHOC Patient Celebrates Milestone Birthday with Blood Drive

person delivering two containers of food to a woman wearing a mask

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How One Stranger’s Gesture Impacted the Lives of CHOC Families

Ely, a Batten disease patient at CHOC, a Brineura treatment center

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CHOC at Forefront of Treating Rare Genetic Condition

CHOC patient Gabriel sitting in a canoe on land

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Overcoming Epilepsy: Gabriel’s Story

CHOC patient Michelle smiling, sitting on her bed, around her first birthday

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Microcephaly and encephalocele: Michelle’s story

CHOC volunteer Daniel hosting turtle talk at CHOC

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My Journey from CHOC Patient to CHOC Volunteer

CHOC patient Darlyn in the NICU

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The Power of Music Therapy: Darlyn’s Story

CHOC patient Layla posing outside by a brick wall

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South Dakota Family Finds Success with CHOC’s Feeding Program

Sydney wearing a red nose posing with two clowns in her hospital room

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Not Fighting Cancer Alone: Sydney’s Story

The Micra® Transcatheter Pacing System is about the size of a vitamin

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CHOC Patient Benefits from World’s Smallest Pacemaker

Two female friends hugging and having fun in summer sun

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How a Bone Marrow Transplant Changed My Life

Nikki throwing a ball while playing water polo

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Personalized Spinal Implants: Nikki’s Story

doctor with stethoscope examining a young girl's abdomen

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An Unexpected Case of Appendicitis: Jordan’s Story

CHOC heart patient holding a heart-shaped pillow autographed with well wishes

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A Reunion of Heroes: Katie’s Story

Male doctor examining little child with stethoscope in hospital

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Kieran’s Balancing Act: Living with Cystic Fibrosis

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Meet CHOC NICU graduates

team Iron Jax at CHOC walk in the park

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CHOC Walk in the Park 2017: Why I Walk – Team IronJax

ECMO machine in intensive care department

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Medical Emergency Disrupts Family’s Holiday Plans

Team Miranda at CHOC walk dressed in an Alice in Wonderland theme

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CHOC Walk in the Park 2017: Why I Walk – Team Miranda

Team Brave Boyle posing together at CHOC Walk in the Park

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CHOC Walk in the Park 2017: Why I Walk – Team Brave Boyle

Lizette and her husband Sean posing in a family photo with their son Landon

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Landon’s life-saving jejunal atresia surgery

flowers made from balloons on bed in hospital

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Child Life Supports Family on Hospital Journey

portait of CHOC patient Andre at three months old in bed

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How RSV changed the way I parent

Ryden and his cardiologist, Dr. Anthony Chang.

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Heart Month: Ryden’s Story

CHOC patient turned CHOC security dispatcher Daniel Davis

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CHOC Heart Surgery Patient Joins Security Team

CHOC patient Lauren stepping onto a train

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Electrophysiology Advances Restore Patient’s Quality of Life

Ryan being held while he was a patient in the small baby unit at CHOC

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Inside the Small Baby Unit: Ryan’s story

portrait of CHOC patient Ava with 3 blue ribbons

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Living with Diabetes: One Child’s Perspective

parent hand holding baby hand in palm

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Why one mom is thankful for CHOC this year

School portrait of CHOC patient Ian

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Seizure-free at five, thanks to epilepsy surgery and ROSA robot

tiny baby wearing googles in incubator in CHOC small baby unit

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Small Baby Unit Before and After

CHOC patient Timmaree cuddling with therapy dog in hospital bed

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CHOC Walk in the Park: Meet Team Timmaree

CHOC patient Matthew sitting in a wobble chair

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Son’s Epilepsy Journey Inspires Mom to Help Others

CHOC nurse Erika playing a song on ukelele with CHOC patient Christine

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CHOC Nurse, Patient Share Love of Music

CHOC patient Claire holding on to IV pole while wearing graduation cap and gown

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Lessons Learned During a Senior Year Spent Fighting Cancer

CHOC patient Caron standing outside his house wearing baseball uniform

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Living with Arthritis: Carson’s Story

CHOC patient Jessica in the hospital for her scoliosis surgery

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Living with Scoliosis: Jessica’s Story

close up of baby girl's ear

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Music to a Little Girl’s Ears

Group of participants in an obstacle course crawling under cables

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Living with Hemophilia: Nick’s Story

Child on a breakaway during ice hockey game

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The Power of Holistic Care

CHOC patient Ashley and Dr. McCanta

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Young Athlete Returns to the Pool after High-Stakes Heart Procedure

Doctor in blue rubber protective gloves putting an adhesive bandage on young woman's arm vein after blood donation

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National Blood Donor Month: Mackenzie’s Story

Newborn baby with a birthmark on his forehead smiling while asleep

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New Laser Treats Children with Vascular Anomalies

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CHOC Patient Gives Back: Juneau’s Story

two hands holding paper brain

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Living as a Teenager With Epilepsy: Stephen’s Story

friend holding teen's palms in hands demonstrating support and care,

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Innovative Cancer Treatment: Abbey’s Story

Teen boys playing baseball, with focus on batter and catcher

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Former CHOC patient, Brant Whiting now plays professional baseball

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Alicia’s story: Repairing a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Erin Greaves and her son, Sean a patient at CHOC

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Twelve-year-old becomes first CHOC patient to receive life-saving device

boy in swimming cap wearing goggles in swimming pool

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Derek’s Story: A Landmark Procedure

Baby with lip cleft, close-up on lips

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Genetic Syndrome Causes Cleft Lip, Palate in Sisters

Premature baby's foot inside a covered incubator with a cuff for blood pressure measuremen

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Matthew’s Story: Healing in the Surgical NICU

model of double helix DNA on blue background

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CHOC’s Specialized Metabolics Team Treats Rare Genetic Disorder

parent adjusting child's feeding tube on her abdomen

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CHOC Patient is Succesfully Treated for Feeding Problem

portrait of CHOC patient Kara smiling and happy

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Kara’s Story: A Journey with Epilepsy

close up of tiny baby hand clutching parent's finger

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CHOC’s Small Baby Unit Helps Twins’ Succesful Outcome

tiny baby hand gently holding mom's finger

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Physician Tenacity, Experimental Treatment Help Baby With Rare Disease

surgeon performing surgery using robotical surgical system

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CHOC Patient is Cancer Free Thanks to Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System

closeup of female doctor holding red ribbon for American heart month

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February is American Heart Month — Cyrus’ story

child hand holding Purple ribbon on adult caring hand

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CHOC Mom, Co-Founder of Epilepsy Support Network of OC Offers Tips