When a child experiences a life-changing illness or traumatic accident that requires the highest-level care, they go to a children’s hospital. These are specialized hospitals that provide critical treatments, unique equipment and high-touch support to children and their families.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals in the U.S. and Canada and does so through events like Radiothon, fundraisers and community giving. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and health care services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care.
“Donations help us provide the life-saving equipment found in our pediatric departments and ensure programs and services continue to be offered, such as Child Life and Expressive Therapies,” said Amanda Lancour, program manager, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Each year, children from northern and central Wisconsin are chosen to represent children treated at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. This year’s Miracle Kids are Amiya, Audrina, Lucas, Giada, William and Ethan. Each Miracle Kid received care from Marshfield Children’s Hospital in Marshfield and benefited by the generous donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Twins Audrina (left) and Amiya (right) are two of 2020’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Miracle Kids.
Amiya & Audrina, 10 Years Old
Before they were born, twins Audrina and Amiya were growing at different rates with potential life-threatening issues for Audrina due to restrictive oxygen and blood flow. Audrina weighed just two pounds, 1.3 ounces when she was born, and spent close to eight weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Amiya weighed four pounds, 3 ounces and spent over four weeks in the NICU.
The girls were five days old before they were able to be held or bond with their parents through skin-to-skin contact. Their parents, Tom and Asavari, were given the opportunity to finally embrace and nurture their newborns with the Kangaroo Recliners, a chair that allowed them to comfort and support their babies safely. Watch Amiya & Audrina’s story.
Lucas, 8 Years Old
When Lucas was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, his family was overwhelmed and scared. During the week they spent at Marshfield Children’s Hospital to confirm the diagnosis, their care team worked to find answers and helped Lucas feel more comfortable. Child life specialists, pediatric oncologists and the entire care team stayed with Lucas throughout his treatment. They became like family. And when Lucas rang the bell to signify the end of treatment, they were all there with him to celebrate. Watch Lucas’ story.
Ethan, 10 Years Old
One day Ethan was playing in the woods when a strong gust of wind caused a tree branch to break and fall on him. The branch crushed Ethan’s skull. He was taken to Marshfield Children’s Hospital by med-flight and immediately taken to surgery to remove part of his frontal lobe.
Ethan spent a total of four months in the hospital recovering from these life-threatening injuries—two of those months in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and two months in the Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit, CARF accredited and only program providing the highest level of care in northern and central Wisconsin. Over their long journey, Ethan’s family utilized numerous services and support. Distraction stations and the Snoezelen Room helped Ethan to decompress and calm himself, and eventually explore all of his senses when he was agitated, experiencing pain or feeling frustrated from not being able to communicate his needs. Watch Ethan’s story.
Giada, 10 Years Old
In the spring of 2015, Giada told her mom that the tops of her feet hurt and were too swollen to put shoes on. She was referred to Marshfield Children’s Hospital, where she received her diagnosis of juvenile arthritis and uveitis and began her ongoing injections and infusions to manage the condition. Child life specialists made the hospital experience easier for Giada. They let her pick from the prize box, put on fun Band-aids and give her freeze pops when she comes in for her treatments. Watch Giada’s story.
William, 5 Years
After Will’s mom developed HELLP Syndrome, a serious complication of high blood pressure during pregnancy, Will was delivered at Marshfield Children’s Hospital at just 29 weeks. He progressed well for the first month, but then started having complications after feedings where he would stop breathing and turn blue. During these episodes, nurses, child life specialists and other staff would rush to his aid and help his parents remain calm. When Will’s parents had to leave the hospital, they could watch him in his isolette using NicView camera technology. Watch Will’s story.
If you would like to make a gift to support local kids at CMN Hospitals like Marshfield Children’s Hospital, visit marshfieldclinic.org/cmnh.
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