33^rd Annual Miracle Tournament and Celebration Dinner

Treated at Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, New Jersey.

Thirteen-year-old Gabriella (Gabby) was running at track practice when suddenly she felt her left arm drop on her last lap. After she lost feeling in her arm, she quickly lost sensation in her left leg and fell to the ground. Gabby was rushed to the pediatric unit of a local trauma center. The hospital immediately took her for a CAT scan, which revealed a brain bleed. After several tests, the doctors diagnosed Gabby with a rare brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture in her right frontal lobe.

She had to wait 10 days for a craniotomy to remove the AVM because they needed the blood to settle in her brain. A few days after surgery, Gabby was transferred to Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) for inpatient therapy. AVMs cause stroke-like symptoms, in Gabby’s case, paralysis of the left side of her body and facial weakness. For 19 days in a pediatric intensive care unit, Gabby couldn’t move or sit up. During the five weeks she spent at CSH, Gabby received physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapies, including aquatic therapy and targeted ways to help her walk again and smile symmetrically. Gabby arrived wheelchair-bound and successfully walked out of CSH on her own. Since then, started practicing soccer and lacrosse again.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helped Gabby benefit from various forms of therapies that supported her road to recovery.

Treated at Carilion Children's in Roanoke, VA.

Ten-year-old Meg has a rare genetic condition called CTBP, and scoliosis. At the age of nine, Meg had a full spinal fusion once her curve hit 101 degrees, a surgery that saved her life. Thanks to her care team at Carilion Children’s, Meg has access to all the therapies, doctors, and equipment she needs close to home. Meg loves babies, puppies, her American Girl Dolls, and playing with her big sisters!

Thanks to donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Meg has access to world-class doctors and surgeons treating her genetic condition and scoliosis at Carilion Children’s Hospital.

Treated at UF Health Jacksonville, Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.

While Nathaniel was in utero, several doctors diagnosed him with severe hydrocephalus, heart conditions, and informed his parents he had suffered a stroke. Born at 39 weeks gestation, Nathaniel was the biggest baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. He underwent multiple surgeries over several years and he still faces daily struggles including severe eating, colon, sight, and speech issues. Nathaniel also has cerebral palsy, mitochondria syndrome, and tick disorder. Even with his challenges, Nathaniel remains positive. Today, Nathaniel is ten years old and loves LEGOs and traveling to see family in Germany.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has helped provide many resources like a special shunt for Nathaniel that makes his daily life easier to manage.