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Dr. Eric Sandler’s journey at Nemours began in 1998 when he was offered the role of Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology. Over the years, he has made many impacts in the organization and currently serves as the Chair of Pediatrics at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. Dr. Sandler’s involvement in Mongolian healthcare began with a young patient named Jonathan Soud. Jonathan’s battle with leukemia was a challenging one, and despite his passing, his family remained determined to honor his memory. Jonathan had a deep fascination with Mongolia and dreamt of visiting the country. In his memory, the Soud family decided to support efforts to improve the outcomes of children with cancer in Mongolia. This gesture led to Dr. Sandler’s first journey to Mongolia. Dr. Sandler’s and his team’s mission in Mongolia extends beyond a single trip. It’s a lifelong commitment to teaching, mentoring, and developing resources and infrastructure to improve the lives […]

“Madison has a history with cancer,” says her mother, Erin. She’s received a diagnosis that no family should have to face not just once, but twice. At the age of 2, Madison was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer that affects the retina, the inner layer of the eye. A subtle “glow” in her eye caught her parents’ attention, leading them to see an ophthalmologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. The journey that followed included six months of chemotherapy and the removal of her left eye. During this time, Madison and her family worked closely with oncologist, Dr. Gregory Griffin. Dr. Griffin played a big part in her journey and their family had a great experience with him. Madison also had amazing doctors from Wills Eye Hospital in Philly. Dr Carol Shields and Dr. Sara Lally were integral in her treatment.   Years later, at the age of 12, Madison faced […]

Born at 27-weeks, weighing 1 pound and 15 ounces, Marjorie spent her first two and half months of life in the NICU. Following discharge, she was seen at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville for hip dysplasia and eye checkups. When she was 7 months old, Marjorie’s parents noticed her belly was very distended. It continued to swell quickly, so her parents brought her to the pediatrician. After an ultrasound confirmed a mass, the family was rushed via ambulance to Wolfson Children’s Hospital where she first met Dr. Gauger. “Following multiple scans and tests, we heard the words you never want to hear, ‘Your child has cancer,’” says Marjorie’s mom, McCall. “Marjorie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma 4S. She spent three weeks in the hospital and was readmitted for more chemotherapy before being discharged on July 11, 2015.” After discharging, Marjorie continued to be followed by her oncology team at Nemours Children’s. “Through […]

Discover the Inspiring Journey of Aiden: Overcoming Heart Challenges with Hope and Strength | Aiden’s Heartwarming Story at Nemours Children’s Hospital

The day before we were admitted to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, my daughter, Aurelia, had had a bit of a cough, a fever, and was vomiting. I took her to two different urgent cares, and they both told us it was just a virus, and she was fine. That night I slept in the bed with her because I was concerned about her fever.  In the middle of the night, she started having trouble breathing and her lips turned blue. We took her to the emergency room and she was transferred to Nemours Children’s. There, she was diagnosed with septic shock, pneumonia, and heart failure due to strep and human metapneumovirus. She was put on a ventilator but she still wasn’t getting enough oxygen, so she was put on ECMO to see if that would give her heart and lungs time to heal. An ECMO machine is similar to a heart-lung by-pass machine used in […]

Discover a tale of hope and resilience as Gabriella faces the challenges of her unborn child’s medical condition, Gastroschisis. Guided by the compassionate care of Nemours Children’s Hospital and the expertise of Dr. Margaret Chou and Dr. Loren Berman.