When life handed 10-year-old Dakota lemons, she did more than make lemonade. The fifth grader, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last year, whipped up pitchers of it with her cousin Shelby, sold it to her neighbors and raised nearly $600. Their plan? A donation to support pediatric cancer research.
For patients and families fighting cancer, daring to dream about the future can be daunting. Do you remember getting your driver’s license? Graduating from high school? The first day of your first job?
Many of us take rite-of-passage milestones for granted. Every moment is a milestone moment for kids with cancer and blood disorders. This month, our Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center team asked patients and staff to share their milestone moments. Read more of their stories: https://www.choa.org/blog/2020/september/childhood-cancer-and-sickle-cell-awareness-month
Meet 17-month-old Wisdom, part-time hospital greeter and full-time superhero.
Our researchers are working to determine if a study medication may help people with multiple food allergies. Participants must have a peanut allergy and at least two other food allergies to milk, egg, wheat, cashew, hazelnut or walnut. Interested? Click below to learn more about the study and how to enroll.
PEDSRESEARCH.ORG
Atlanta Pediatric Research | The OUtMATCH Study | About Us | Emory + Children's + GT | Atlanta Pediatric Research Alliance
Bring on the capes! Cape Day is coming Friday, Oct. 16. Show your support for our superhero patients by purchasing your cape at choa.org/capeday and stay tuned for an interactive way to get your whole family involved on our beloved annual tradition. #CapeDayATL
Oliver underwent his first open heart surgery at just 5 days old. With his second Halloween just around the corner, his mom says he doesn't need a costume to show off his permanent alter ego: Happiest Baby on the Planet.
Everything looks a little different this year, and Cape Day is no exception. We've gone virtual! Looking for a fun and meaningful way to spice up this week's lesson plans? Download our virtual #CapeDayATL toolkit, complete with a BINGO card, Zoom background, MadLib and word search, at https://www.choa.org/capeday. The big day is this Friday, Oct. 16!
At just 10 months old, Ansley was diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout her nearly four years of treatment, Ann, one of her nurses, became part of her extended family. Three decades later, they're working alongside each other at Egleston—the same hospital that brought them together all those years ago.
There's something special about the people who wear a Children's badge, and 17-year-old Anniston experienced it firsthand while completing algebra homework. Nathan, an EEG tech and math enthusiast, sensed Anniston's frustration when he walked past her room in our epilepsy monitoring unit. After a bedside math lesson, the high school senior was acing her homework like a mathlete.
October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month. This powerful video from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life reminds parents of the importance of the ABCs of safe sleep for infants: always put baby to sleep Alone, on their Back and in a Clear crib.
In partnership with the Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Tech, we’re proud to be on the forefront of COVID-19 test verification research. Funded by the NIH’s RADx program, we’re working toward a goal of making millions of accurate and easy-to-use COVID tests available for at home or other point-of-care use.
CHOA.ORG
NIH Awards $18.2 million to Continue Verification of COVID-19 diagnostic tests | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
This week—and every week—we are grateful for those who dedicate their lives to caring for kids. From top-secret handshakes to bedside manicures, the nurses in our halls go above and beyond for our kids. This Pediatric Nurses Week, help us celebrate them by sharing your favorite memories in the comment thread below!
This summer, two dogs attacked Joslyn while she was walking in her neighborhood. She’s since spent twelve weeks at Egleston and undergone nearly 20 surgeries. While she works to regain the ability to speak, creating music through instruments has allowed her to express herself and find unexpected joy. This week, Gibson surprised Joslyn with her very own guitar—just in time for her to take home.
Nathan's heart defect went undiagnosed until after his sixth birthday. When other experts said the defect was not treatable, our Heart Center team—including Drs. Bauser-Heaton, Petit and Subi—thought otherwise. Three years later, the repair work on his left pulmonary artery is still working beautifully. Inspired by his care team, this 11-year-old plans to return to Children's as a pediatric cardiologist.
When this flag flies, it means a child has received the gift of life through organ transplantation. For Maddie, the moment was made possible when her cousin donated a kidney. Three days after transplant, this high school senior—who plays three varsity sports—was walking laps around the hospital garden.
Many of us are fortunate enough not to know someone who has lost a baby to unsafe sleep. But there are too many families with tragic stories to tell. And Michelle—a pediatric ICU nurse for more than 13 years—has seen the tiny faces behind the stories. Now, she and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life are on a mission to remind parents that "just this once" can change a family forever.
CHOA.ORG
PICU Nurse to Parents: ‘Just This Once’ Is Not OK | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
ICYMI: The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has made a generous $200 million gift to name our new hospital. Here's a closer look at the announcement and the Arthur M. Blank Hospital, which was designed to take advantage of the healing views of nature.
CHOA.ORG
Announcing the Arthur M. Blank Hospital | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
It's an exciting day in Children's history: The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has made a generous $200 million gift to name our new hospital. Opening in 2025, the Arthur M. Blank Hospital is the largest healthcare project ever in the history of Georgia. Please join the Children's family in thanking Arthur Blank for this transformative gift for Georgia's kids!
Learn more: https://www.choa.org/give/updates/news/arthur-m-blank-hospital-naming-press-release
While COVID-19 dominates headlines, remember other viruses are also circulating—and they can wreak havoc on little ones’ respiratory systems. For Shepard, a recent bout with bronchiolitis resulted in a four-day hospital stay that required oxygen and a feeding tube. Let Shepard’s story be a reminder to not let your guard down this holiday season: wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, get your flu shot and watch your distance. Little things make a big impact, especially for little ones who depend on us to keep them safe.
Born in July, these identical twins have spent most of their short lives apart. Justice (left) has been followed by cardiologists in our Heart Center since before she was born. After Justice made history as one of the youngest patients to undergo a groundbreaking procedure involving a 3D-printed tracheal splint, the sisters reunited—and made quick use of their enviable wardrobes.
Hey, parents: Are your car seats properly installed? Are all household chemicals stored safely out of reach? Are your furniture pieces safely secured to a wall? When was the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? If you’re reading this, our hope is that you’ll be inspired to perform a safety check around the house. It could save a life.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life
November 18 at 9:00 AM ·
Today is National Injury Prevention Day. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 19. These injuries include motor vehicle crashes, falls, poisoning, unsafe infant sleep and more. So many of these fatal incidents are preventable. Help us raise awareness about injury prevention by sharing this graphic with your friends and family. Together, we can keep kids healthy and safe.
In November 2018, Nolan’s parents watched tearfully as our Heart Center team wheeled him back to surgery. In the word’s of his mom, that was the day their 6-month-old son was given life. The day his heart was repaired. Two years later, this joyful toddler—who was born with Goldenhar syndrome—is conquering four therapies a week and smiling through it all.
For 25 years, Garnett dedicated his life to our country by serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve. At the same time, he used his skills to serve our kids and families as part of our security team. This Veterans Day, we celebrate Garnett and the more than 400 veterans who give us the honor of calling them our colleagues.
Remember David, our “ICU Grandpa?” After we posted a photo of him tending to a tiny patient in 2017, the story of his kindness was shared all over the world.
Last week, our teams learned David has stage IV pancreatic cancer. To honor this hospital legend, who spent nearly 15 years tending to little ones in our intensive care units, our staff organized a drive-by parade outside of his home. Led by one of our NICU transport trucks, a procession of nearly 30 cars—some carrying Children’s employees, some carrying patients who had been soothed by David many years ago—honked, waved and shared well wishes as his family gathered in their driveway. For a grand finale, a Children’s transport helicopter circled over his home, an emotional tribute to a man who has dedicated his retirement years to watching over our kids.
In the words of David’s grandkids, “We didn’t know everyone passing by, but we felt so connected to them. All the kids he’s cared for and the employees he’s formed friendships with—he loves them like they were his own. And we felt that same love from them today.”
Mardi Gras beads often come with a story but none as impactful as the stories behind Beads of Courage. From double outlet surgeries to ventricular inversion, each of Heidi's hard-earned beads symbolizes a step in her journey to overcome congenital heart defects.
If you sense some Hope and Will through the TV screen tonight, chalk it up to these Children’s employees being among the vaccinated healthcare workers attending the Super Bowl. They’ve dedicated their lives to helping others, and we’re so glad they can enjoy this fan-tastic experience on behalf of the NFL!
Eight Children's employees are gearing up for the experience of a lifetime: an all-expenses-paid trip to Super Bowl LV in Tampa! As guests of the Atlanta Falcons, they'll join other clinical healthcare professionals as part of the NFL's efforts to recognize their dedication to our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, we had the honor of randomly choosing four winners who were able to invite a colleague as their guest.
As we kick off a new year with Hope for brighter days ahead and the Will to appreciate all that we are given, it’s more important than ever that we foster kind connections with others. Not sure how to share kindness in your community? Spin our Connect with Kindness Wheel and participate in our random act of #KindnessATL challenge. www.choa.org/kindness
Atlanta, this one’s for you:
The kids in our halls have long inspired each other—as well as those outside our hospital walls—to cherish the little things many of us often take for granted.
One year ago this month, the Queen of Kindness, 8-year-old Ellie Pruitt, gained her angel wings after a lifelong battle with autoimmune diseases. While preparing for her celebration of life service, her parents found a list of her “Room Rules.” Ellie’s positivity and light, even during her final days, serve as a reminder for us all to be kind to one another, always.
As we kick off February, a month dedicated to celebrating love, we’re issuing a challenge to our community: Shine kindness on someone who could a dose of happy. Whether it’s simply holding the door for a stranger, sending a note to an old friend or completing a random act of kindness for your neighbor, join us as we reconnect, inspire and challenge one another to connect with kindness.
Visit choa.org/kindness to learn more about Ellie’s legacy and #KindnessATL.
If Harper had business cards, her title would simply say “Boss.” With help from a sidekick squad comprised of our surgical services team, the 3-year-old overcame her fear of blood draws to power through surgery that removed her tonsils, adenoids and a lymph node.
