For a few wonderfully hopeful months in Spring 2010, I was on top of the world. When not chasing our 22-month-old twins or 15-year-old Golden Retriever, my husband Joe and I were preparing to welcome our third child into our already lively home, and we were charmed by the thought of watching our toddling son and daughter mature into the roles of big brother and big sister of a healthy baby brother. He was due on their birthday, which is also my birthday, and we looked forward to many Augusts of joint celebrations and healthy kids.

We had almost survived the twins’ first two years, which we were told would be completely exhausting (correct!), and we confidently thought that adding a third baby into our colorful mix would be easy breezy.

Then baby Hoyte entered the world two months early. Within an hour of his premature birth, our world turned upside down. We were told that our baby Hoyte was born with birth defects and complications and would be taken immediately to Children’s Healthcare at Egleston’s NICU for further testing and surgery. Everything we had planned changed in an instant.

At just 1-day old, Hoyte underwent surgery on his trachea and esophagus (EA/TEF repair) and had a lengthy stay in the NICU. At 5 weeks old, we almost lost our precious angel to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Before we brought him home from the NICU, I underwent extensive CPR training with other NICU parents. Because of Hoyte’s upper GI and airway birth defects, food, reflux or secretions often became lodged in Hoyte’s tiny, malformed trachea, sticking it together, resulting in what we called “blue spells.”

When Hoyte was just 5 months old, one such blue spell resulted in the worst night of my life. Hoyte’s body went gray and started becoming cool as he stopped breathing. None of the usual techniques were working to dislodge the reflux, and he was gone. At the foot of my bed, for five excruciating minutes, I frantically performed CPR on his tiny body … until he finally opened his eyes.  It was the most powerfully grateful moment of my life.

Prone to lung infections, our little fighter has had many stays at Scottish Rite and Egleston for serious breathing complications related to pneumonia, RSV, asthma and bronchiolitis. Hoyte has been intubated, PICC-lined, scoped, X-rayed, biopsied and stuck with I.V.s more than any little tiny boy should, but all of these medical assessments and interventions have saved his life.  Making peace with all of this has been one of the biggest challenges but biggest blessings of my life. What a miracle modern medicine is, especially in a 4-pound baby.

Since our journey began, I can’t tell you how many times we’ve said how grateful we are to have Children’s so close to home. We’ve seen all kinds of specialists, from gastroenterologists to pulmonologists, as Hoyte courageously earned scars from his tiny shoulders down to his tiny abdomen. So when Children’s asked me to share our story at this year’s Women of Style & Substance Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show, I was humbled and blessed by the opportunity.

My professional life as a therapist, educator and writer, tasks me with presenting all kinds of topics, but this was a story I had not yet told. The night before the event, I felt an unusual sense of vulnerability. My stomach was in knots as I stared at the clock. In just a few hours, I’d be telling a story etched on the books of my own family’s history, not from journals on my office shelves or articles on psychological studies. No footnotes here. This was our story, our struggle and our journey through a rollercoaster of fear and triumphs.

In my speech, I would be representing Children’s, a place that had become our second home for many years. Would I be able to communicate how grateful we are to have such an amazing resource in our backyard? I prayed my words would be heard as I meant them to be.

When the morning came, I put on my new white dress, made a last-minute decision to grab hot pink heels (because they just plain made me happy) and headed up to the St. Regis to meet a table full of family and friends. The crowd was vibrant and gorgeous, and familiar faces stopped to hug me and wish me luck. My heart raced as I kept my eye on my watch.

At 12:55 p.m., it was my turn. Teetering on my pink heels, I stepped up onto the stage, behind a symbolically transparent podium – I wouldn’t be able to hide anything from up here. I was just Hoyte’s Mother today, no “Dr.” before my name, no fancy letters after it. Just a mom.

After a quick introduction, this video played.

As the video faded out, all eyes were on me. I deeply wanted them to feel connected to me and to let them know that I was representing many of them. So, I asked for mothers who had ever stood guard by their sick child’s hospital bed to stand with me. One by one, faces rose in the crowd. Women at every table had stories of their own. They were standing, receiving applause, nodding to each other. “Yes. Me too. I’ve been there.” Tears swelled in my eyes. Yes. You know. You know what it’s like to put your world on hold to help your child heal and thrive.

Looking over the crowd, I saw something more beautiful than the Michael Kors suits that had just walked the runway.

There was no need to wonder if they would judge me or not understand me. Not here. They were at this luncheon for a reason, and together we shared the deep beauty of what makes us “just mothers” when we get home and ditch our pink heels for flip-flops.

At the end of my speech, my husband and beautiful boy joined me on stage. On their feet, the crowd greeted Hoyte with a round of loving applause. I know Hoyte did not know the pride I felt in that moment, but I am sure his body felt the energy pulsing through mine.  They were on their feet for him.  They were on their feet for Children’s. This beautiful miracle of a boy in my arms was mine. He was alive. And the women here understood what that meant for me as a mother, for them as mothers, and for a community that is blessed by Children’s.

Indeed, Hoyte and I had both survived. And we thank Children’s for helping to make our survival a story and one worthy of a standing ovation.

And you may have heard about children you know getting ear tubes. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of ear infections, how to treat them and whether your child may benefit from ear tube surgery. 

What are symptoms of an ear infection?

Soon, parents may be able to get assistance in diagnosis without leaving home by using Remotoscope, a clip-on attachment and software app that turns an iPhone into an otoscope.

Your child may show signs of one or more of these:

• Fever (temperature higher than 100.3°F or 38°C)
• Ear pain or pulling at the ears
• Being fussy or not being able to sleep or eat
• Vomiting or loose stools
• Pus draining from the ear

How should I treat an ear infection?

Follow these general guidelines:

• Call your child’s doctor if you are concerned.
• Keep in mind that you do not need to treat all ear infections with antibiotics. In fact, many ear infections get better without them. If your doctor does prescribe antibiotics, your child should take them as directed for the full amount of time, even if his or her ear begins to feel better.
• Do not allow your child to take a bottle to bed.
• Keep your child away from cigarette smoke.
• Give plenty of fluids to drink.
• Give acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic brand) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil or generic brand) if advised by your child’s doctor for fever or pain. Follow the directions on the box carefully or ask your child’s doctor how much medicine to give.

When should I call the doctor?

Call your child’s doctor right away if your child:

• Does not smile or play for even a few minutes every four hours
• Still has a fever 48 hours after prescribed antibiotics are started
• Has any new symptoms
• Has pain that does not go away after 48 hours
• Has problems taking the antibiotic or drinking fluids
• Vomits more than two times
• Shows signs of dehydration (drying out), such as no urine in six to eight hours in an infant younger than 1 year old, no urine in more than 8 hours in a child older than 1 year old, no tears when crying, sunken eyes and/or dry lips and mouth
• Has bloody drainage from the ear
• Has redness or swelling of the skin behind the ear or if his ear sticks out more than normal
• Or if you have any questions or concerns about how your child looks or feels

Does my child need ear tubes?

If fluid remains in the ear(s) for longer than three months, your child’s physician may suggest that small tubes be placed in the ear(s). A surgeon places it in the opening of the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear and to prevent fluid from accumulating. The tubes usually fall out on their own after six-to-12 months.

In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away. 

Brandy Corbett—Kale’s mother

As a former two-sport collegiate athlete, Brandy Corbett knows the importance of putting a team before herself. So when her current team—her family of four—faced its toughest challenge yet in October 2011, she didn’t hesitate to step away from a successful career.

Brandy was in her third year as the principal at Jefferson Middle School and was midway through a doctorate degree when she began noticing a change in her son, Kale. His energy level seemed to drop dramatically, and tests at Children’s revealed that the then-10-year-old had a rare form of leukemia.

Kale ultimately needed a bone marrow transplant, and as it turned out, there was only one potentially perfect match on the national donor registry—a female that the Corbetts had never met. After the transplant, Kale spent more than a month at Egleston hospital recovering and regaining his strength.

“She is the most selfless person that I’ve ever been around,” Brandy’s husband, Tims, said. “God certainly knew what he was doing when he put Kale with Brandy.

Lauren Howell—Liam’s mother

Lauren Howell wasn’t sure what to expect when her first child was born in August 2007, but she knew it would be a difficult journey from day one.

Immediately after Liam was born, he was brought to Children’s for surgery and within 48 hours of being born, a large tumor on his back was removed. However, the cancer was larger than just the visible tumor. It had started in the abdominal wall, grew through the gaps in his rib cage into his lung cavity and wrapped around his shoulder blade.

At just 2 weeks old, Liam began chemotherapy to treat infantile fibrosarcoma. The treatment lasted a long nine months followed by scans every three months to verify the cancer was gone. Liam officially became a cancer survivor last July, one month before his sixth birthday.

“I love my mom a lot,” Liam said, adding that his mother has been especially helpful during hospital visits. “She helps me to be brave and tells me not to be scared, but sometimes I’m still a little scared.”

KK Cayce—Collier’s mother

Although nothing can fully prepare a mother to hear that her child has cancer, KK Cayce was able to pull strength from having already watched one of her children—her now 8-year-old daughter—fight for her life after being born at 26 weeks.

Last September, KK’s son, Collier, underwent a series of tests, including an MRI and a biopsy, on his swollen right leg. That’s when the Cayces received the news that turned their world upside down—Collier had Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.

“When I would go in for my five-day chemo, it made me feel so sick,” the 14-year-old Collier said. “My mom always sat on the side of the bed and would pat my back. It just reminded me that she was there. It would definitely be a lot harder without my mom.”

While Collier still has three more chemo treatments followed by two weeks of radiation on his lungs, his mother says his future is looking much better.

Read the full stories of these special mothers.

To help ease your anxiety, start with these five tips for the first five days outside the hospital. Take it one step at a time.

Baby on Board
Once you are a new parent, you will never drive the same way again. You must protect your precious cargo on and off the road.

There are so many car seats to choose from. What’s important is to find one that fits properly in your car, while still keeping your baby safe. Not every car seat is going to fit every car, so do your research early. Buy one well before you’re due to deliver, put it in the car before you go to the hospital and practice getting the seat in and out.

When it comes to car seat safety, there are three “musts.” Always check that the front buckle is even with the armpits. Make sure the straps are pulled tight—barely fitting a finger between strap and baby. And do not put blankets behind your newborn.

There is much, much more you need to know about car seat safety—so take it seriously and share it with anyone that will be responsible for carting around your precious cargo.

Sleeping Soundly
Entering this world is a lot of work for a little baby, so the first few days, your baby is going to sleep…a lot. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. In time, you’ll see your baby becoming more alert and staying awake for longer periods of time, but don’t expect it right away.

Hopefully, you’ve heard that sleeping with your newborn in your bed (co-sleeping) is not recommended because of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A co-sleeper that sits on or attaches to your bed is safe, but a bassinette or crib is the best option.

Also, don’t fill the crib with blankets or toys. Instead, comfort your baby in a swaddle. A quick word of caution: Incorrect swaddling can lead to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)—watch our how-to video to help get it right.

Feeding Functions
Feeding your baby, and in turn, tackling diaper duty always come with a lot of questions. Breast or bottle? Which diaper brand? Should I follow on-demand feeding or try to stick to a schedule? To focus in on my specialty as a pediatric doctor—let’s narrow in on the baby’s health when it comes to these functions.

Nutritionally, breast is better, but it might not work for you. And that’s OK. Newborn babies will eat every 1 to 3 hours, and they will let you know when it’s time for a feeding. I encourage all of my patients to feed on-demand instead of adhering to a strict schedule. If your baby seems hungry, but ate just an hour ago, feed him. Conversely, if your baby is asleep and comfortable, let him sleep. He’ll wake up when he’s ready to eat.

As for diapers, the type you use is a completely personal choice. No one brand is better than the other. What you should know, however, is what to expect in that diaper during the first few days. Your newborn will pee several times a day, but may poop only one time a day (although it could be more frequent). The first few dirty diapers will contain meconium, a dark, sticky, tarlike substance. Within a few days, the stool will turn to a yellow color and be soft and seedy.

Babies get diaper rash pretty easily, so I recommend using a diaper rash cream on them before it happens. Again, no one brand is better than the other, so try out several until you find one that works.

All babies have gas, although it may be rare in the first few days. If you’re breastfeeding, burp your baby before switching breasts. This will help wake them up and feed longer. If you’re bottle feeding, burp your baby every two ounces or so.

Crying for a Cause
Babies cry. Sometimes, they cry a lot. Don’t let that send you into a panic. You don’t need to drop everything you’re doing and run to them immediately. It’s more important for you to be calm when you do get to your baby. If that means finishing making a bottle or opening a new package of diapers, then do it.

When your baby is crying, it usually means he’s trying to tell you something. Some common reasons may be a wet or dirty diaper, hunger, gas, or the need to be held. He may be too hot or too cold.

He may also just be crying to cry. I know this can cause anxiety, so if you feel yourself getting closer to the edge, put your newborn in a safe place (such as a spouse’s arms or a crib) and take a break. The baby will be fine and you will be much, much better after a breather.

If your baby won’t stop crying after you’ve taken care of all the usual suspects, call your doctor. There may be a bigger issue going on.

Happy and Healthy
One of the most important decisions you can make for your baby is to pick a pediatrician. Do your research on location, hours and qualifications, and interview several to be sure you make the right choice for you and your baby. Once you deliver, make an appointment to see your pediatrician within 2 days of being discharged from the hospital.

It’s also important for you and your partner to learn or refresh yourself on infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Hang a hard copy of CPR instructions on your fridge for babysitters and other caretakers. And finally, know how to take a temperature. Up to the age of six weeks, any temperature above 100.4 requires a doctor’s attention immediately.

There is so much more…but I won’t overwhelm you in the first few days at home with your new addition. Remember that you’re not alone, and there is never a question that hasn’t been asked by countless new parents before you.

The pressure to ensure your child with asthma is safe and healthy can make anyone breathe uneasily. In our media-packed culture, it’s easy to let advice from social media friends or self-diagnosing websites overwhelm you with mixed messages of how to care for your children.

Unfortunately, it often is hard to get real answers. And not knowing the truth can lead to sleepless nights and the pressure to monitor your asthmatic child’s breathing like a hawk. By clearing up a few of these misconceptions, we can help you keep your child with asthma healthy and active and allow your own breaths to feel steadier.

Myth No.1: “My child always seems to have a chest cold. This is not asthma; it’s just ‘chronic bronchitis’ and he will probably grow out of it.”

Although there is no cure, asthma can be controlled.

Yes, the majority of children who cough or wheeze with colds during the first three years of life do not go on to have asthma later in life. But, your child may be at risk for asthma. Children who have persistent coughing or wheezing episodes at least four times a year, especially those with an asthmatic parent or with a food or environmental allergy, are at risk for developing persistent asthma. For these children, asthma is a condition that can only be controlled—not cured.  Accurately diagnosing asthma is the first step to gaining control.

Myth No. 2: “All my child needs to treat his asthma is to take Albuterol every day.”

While taking medicine every day may prevent constant coughing or wheezing, you may actually place your child at increased risk for more severe complications from asthma, including hospitalization or death. Albuterol just treats the squeezing of the muscles around the airway; it does NOT heal the inflammation and swelling that causes asthma. By using Albuterol regularly, symptoms may be masked and allow the swelling of the airway to continue, or possibly get worse. If you’re using Albuterol every day, talk to your pediatrician about starting daily medicine to get your asthma under control.

Myth No. 3: “I have my child’s asthma under control and only need to see my pediatrician once a year for routine check-ups or when he is sick.”

Patients with asthma should see their physician every three to four months, even if they are well. The goal in asthma management is to prevent becoming sick, rather than reacting to a sickness after it has happened. Simply treating illness as it occurs only leads to a roller coaster ride of healthy and sick periods, with healthy periods becoming rarer. For many families, the hectic nature of life makes it easy to lose sight of why it is necessary to take medication, or parents don’t realize a child is having symptoms or difficulty with activity due to time spent in school. All of these things should be discussed regularly with your physician.

Myth No. 4: “My child’s pediatrician is my only resource for talking about asthma.”

Dr. Brooks leads a team that specializes in pediatric allergy and immunology, asthma, pulmonology and respiratory therapy.

Your pediatrician should be your first stop for any question you have about asthma. But if your child continues to show symptoms despite medication, or your child makes three or more emergency room visits for asthma in one year, then an asthma specialist may be another important resource. An asthma specialist (usually an allergist or pulmonologist) is specially trained to perform and interpret lung function testing, educate a family in ways to reduce asthma triggers and symptoms, and recognize when another medical condition may be making your child’s asthma worse.

Remember that with proper care, asthma should not limit your child in any way. Our goal for all children? Live well, and breathe easy!

This was obviously very difficult for me. Sometimes it was hard to call a place home or make friends when I knew I was going to be leaving again at some point. But other times it felt like I was on a great adventure. As adults, my siblings and I agree that the constant moving instilled in us a very important trait–the ability to adapt to change.

Change is going to be a part of every child’s life, no matter how much we, as parents, try to ensure stability and structure. Helping them adapt to those inevitable changes–whether it is a move, a new school or a divorce–can have a lasting impact on their life.

In the United States, 41 percent of first marriages end in divorce.

It is important to foster a positive outlook on change with our children. Cindy Jett, a psychotherapist in Reston, Va., and author of the book Harry the Happy Caterpillar Grows: Helping Children Adjust to Change, has a few tips to do just that. They include:

• Talking with your child about his feelings during the change.
• Allowing your child to grieve over losses that are a result of the change.
• Asking your child to envision some of the positives that could come from the change.
• Looking out for catastrophic language, like “I’ll never make any new friends.”

In an article about helping children adjust to moving, the NYU Child Study Center noted that a parent’s outlook can affect the child’s because “maintaining a positive attitude will be reassuring to the kids and they will have an easier time adjusting.”

Many experts agree that being able to adapt to change as a child will pay dividends as an adult. It can often lead to less anxiety and a more positive outlook during those important, and often unavoidable, changes later in life.

Instead of worrying about how your child is going to react to a big change, use it as a teachable moment that will help mold them into a more adaptable adult. You will then be fulfilling one of our most important jobs as parents– giving your child the tools to find happiness and success as an adult.

In my 25 years of working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s, I have seen thousands of babies come through our doors. There have been so many happy moments and so many sad moments through the years.

I never thought one of those happy moments would take place among zebras, giraffes and elephants. Earlier this year, I was proud to be on a team that helped deliver and take care of a baby orangutan at Zoo Atlanta.

The baby, Pongo, was delivered by cesarean section (C-section) in January and required around-the-clock care for the first few months of his life. The zoo needed help, and my team was happy to lend our neonatal expertise. Along with some members of my team, I took shifts holding Pongo, feeding him and changing his diaper. For the first 48 hours, we had to hold him upright continuously to make sure he could breathe on his own.

During the next couple of months, I went once a week to see Pongo and help take care of the young primate. It was rewarding to be a part of something so special as Pongo was only the third orangutan ever born by C-section, and the first one that wasn’t performed in an emergency situation.

Watching him grow up was exciting because it was just like holding a baby. At first he wouldn’t move, and I just held him. Eventually, he looked more awake and began checking out the room, which was decorated with mobiles and had a bed made especially for him.

Despite some initial fear that she might reject her son because they had not been together early on, Blaze is now taking care of Pongo on her own. Now, zookeepers are trying to introduce the baby to his dad, Benny.

This was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to go visit Pongo again soon!

By Erika Anderson, Grant Writer, Children’s Foundation, and Weekend Manager, Ronald McDonald House

I was sitting in the office when I saw them pull up. It was pouring rain—enough to drench you head to toe in less than 20 seconds. I watched the mother try to shield herself with an umbrella as she ran to the backseat and struggled to get her teenage daughter and her wheelchair out of the car. I ran out to help them the best I could.

Chrissy wasn’t really talking. She couldn’t walk. But her mother, Sara, was positive and thankful as I gave her a tour, and told me about Chrissy’s car accident that had left her with a brain injury. Sara was hopeful for Chrissy to begin therapy in the Children’s Day Rehabilitation Program.

The Katzes were one of the first families I ever checked in to the Ronald McDonald House. I started working as a weekend manager at the house, or as I affectionately call it, The Ronald, in 2005. One Friday a month, I head to the Ronald McDonald House near our Scottish Rite campus, and I stay there until Sunday. My job duties are varied. I help the families with whatever they need. I welcome and offer tours to our wonderful donors. I work with service groups. And many times, I make a worthy opponent in an epic game of Uno or Connect Four.

Since 1979, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities has provided a home away from home for families with children in the hospital—usually at Children’s. Since then, my house and the one located near Children’s at Egleston have served more than 40,000 families.

Those of us who live in metro Atlanta are aware of how lucky we are to have some of the best specialty pediatric care so close to us. But that’s not the case for thousands of children who are sick or injured and live hours away from Children’s. That’s why the Ronald McDonald House is special. The house keeps families together during some of the toughest times in their lives. Parents, siblings, caregivers and other family members can spend the day at the hospital and come back to the house to eat, relax and enjoy some much-needed down time.

Erika is a grant writer for the Children’s Foundation who spends one weekend a month at The Ronald McDonald House.

The only requirements to stay at the Ronald McDonald House are that families must have a child 21 or younger undergoing treatment, and they must live at least 50 miles away from the hospital. Though they are asked to contribute a small fee per night, no one is turned away for the inability to pay.

As a weekend manager,  I get the most incredible opportunity to witness the patients’ progress in a unique way. I might see a patient, like Chrissy, who wasn’t speaking and had to use a wheelchair one weekend, and return a month later to see her walking and talking. It’s something I never take for granted.

My weekends at The Ronald introduce me to our patients and their families, and remind me of why I do what I do every day.

While writing this blog, I learned that Linda Morris, President and CEO of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, lost her battle with breast cancer. Her beautiful memorial service, attended by family, friends, staff and community members, was a testament to the great love she had for the thousands of families she helped serve during her 19-year tenure at the organization. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will certainly continue.

Here are five reasons we can’t imagine a day without our wonderful volunteers.

1. Our volunteers wear many hats
You’ll find our volunteers in patient care units, school rooms, pharmacies, gift shops, libraries and other nooks and crannies throughout our hospitals. Whether helping a family member pick out a special gift in the gift shop or playing with a child while his parents grab a meal from the café, our volunteers alleviate some of the stress that comes with staying in the hospital. Through our bilingual program, volunteers also help foreign-language-speaking families navigate the hospital and learn about services and programs.

2. Our volunteers keep us organized
Even paperwork doesn’t scare these volunteers. Every week, volunteers provide administrative assistance in clinics and offices on hospital campuses. They help staff organize files, make appointment reminder phone calls, create customer service packets and assist with mailings. Yes, our volunteers are even enthusiastic about the behind-the-scene tasks.

The artwork says it all: “I like when volunteers play with me.”

3. Our volunteers inspire the Atlanta community
One of our beloved volunteers, Elena Weaver, recently won the 11 Alive Community Service Award for her customer service and support of our Guest Services team. Elena goes above and beyond to help families feel comfortable in the hospital and makes sure they know about opportunities available to them. If you’ve spent time at Egleston, there’s a good chance you’ll recognize Elena’s smile!

4. Our volunteers are creative
Community groups plan theme parties, donate projects for our art cart, knit hats for babies, organize toy drives and host special performances for families and patients. Just last month, Becca’s Closet co-hosted an in-hospital patient prom. On a musical note, Songs for Kids volunteers share their musical talents in our lobbies and through private concerts throughout our hospitals. Michael Jackson and One Direction covers are always a hit! In Seacrest Studios, a radio station donated by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, patients hang out and listen to music, record and make song requests.

5. Our volunteers share their four-legged friends
Happy Tails volunteers bring their canine friends’ joy into our hospitals to play and love on our patients. Don’t be surprised to find a Red Golden Retriever or a Bichon Frise doing tricks and getting belly rubs in our lobbies. Each week, Canine Assistants volunteers also visit the hospitals with service dogs-in-training to comfort children in the neurology clinics, family libraries, radiology units and rehabilitation floors.

We could fill a room full of filing cabinets listing the ways our volunteers fill our hospitals with joy. From Children’s to the Atlanta community, Georgia and beyond, we salute all the volunteers out there this National Volunteer Week!

Katielee’s Elephant Encounter
After 10 months of treatment and 60 overnight hospital stays to fight Ewing’s sarcoma, 17-year-old Katielee completed her last round of chemotherapy in January. Today, she’s back to school and working toward her ultimate goal of becoming a National Geographic photographer. Thanks to Zoo Atlanta, Katielee helped feed the elephants and then practiced her photo-taking skills on mammals and amphibians throughout the zoo.

Ella’s Mom/Daughter Salon Retreat
Ella, 8, received a liver transplant in February. Erik Pearson, owner of Soda Salon, cleared his schedule to surprise Ella and her mom, Kelly, after a follow-up appointment with our liver transplant team yielded good news. Once the duo had their hair and makeup done, Ella enjoyed a manicure and basket of goodies.

Katelyn’s High-Flying Experience
Katelyn, 9, has been in and out of the hospital since she was 3. Thanks to Pure Imagination Charity, she enjoyed a hot air balloon ride, fondue lunch at The Melting Pot and a Mary Poppins VIP meet-and-greet at The Fox Theatre.

Chad’s Big Day at Turner Field
How does Chad, 15, find the strength he needs to take on Addison’s disease? Two words: Atlanta Braves. The mega-fan enjoyed a tour of the player entrance, front-row access to batting practice, a Braves goodie bag, photos with players, a museum tour and a game day pack for four.

Lance’s Leap through LEGOLAND
While Lance, 9, waited for a new heart, he passed time by building intricate Lego creations. He wanted to go to LEGOLAND Discovery Center – Atlanta for his birthday this year, but when the family arrived at Phipps Plaza (drove from Winder to Atlanta!), they were sold out. When invited back by LEGOLAND for a special day, he and his cousin stayed until closing.

Lullabies in the NICU
Some of our tiniest patients fell asleep to lullabies from a world-class quartet of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. As music drifted through the NICU, one baby softly whimpered when the music stopped, another smiled and others slipped into a gentle sleep.

Play Day at Sensations TheraFun
Together with their siblings, patients from our Marcus Autism Center enjoyed free play at Sensations TheraFun, a special play gym designed for sensory recreation. The giant playground is perfect for children with autism, on the autism spectrum or those with sensory processing disorders.

Hannah in the Kitchen
Hannah, 12, loves to cook and, in her dad’s words, has never been a “meat and potatoes” kind of girl.  After a week of chemotherapy to treat neuroblastoma, Jay Swift welcomed Hannah to his popular restaurant 4th & Swift for a firsthand lesson in the kitchen. Afterward, Hannah’s friends and family enjoyed Jay and Hannah’s culinary creations as brunch guests in the dining room.

Read more about the spring break adventures in a wonderful article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And, hearty thanks to EVERYONE who made all eight experiences possible!