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Patient Stories

From the very beginning, Sophia’s life has been intertwined with achondroplasia dwarfism. Diagnosed at birth, she started her medical journey under the care of Dr. William Mackenzie and Colleen Ditro, two dedicated clinicians at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware who have been by her side since day one. Born and raised in Colorado, Sophia was introduced to Nemours Children’s through LPA (Little People of America). Here, she first met Dr. Mackenzie and Colleen and they have followed her since birth, connecting yearly at LPA conventions. As she grew older, Sophia continually defied expectations, becoming a professional athlete and earning medals in two Paralympic games as an elite swimmer. When she retired from professional sports and began exploring new avenues, Sophia took up running. However, she began to encounter some hip issues along the way. This led her to seek medical advice from Colleen who recommended Sophia come to Delaware and see Dr. […]

In February 2023, we noticed a sore develop on Charlie’s side. But being a normal 3-year-old little boy, we shook it off as a stick poke or a bug bite from playing outside. As time progressed, not only did the sore get bigger, but Charlie started falling asleep on the couch and experiencing fevers of 102-103 degrees. We took Charlie to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida’s Emergency Room in Orlando where the doctors closely examined him before calling in Dr. Alexander, an infectious disease specialist. Dr. Alexander was very kind and helped us think through different ideas of what this could be. They took a biopsy and sent us home on an antibiotic and instructions to follow up with our pediatrician. A week later, there had been no signs of healing. Charlie’s lymph node in his armpit near the wound had become swollen. After following up with his pediatrician two times […]

Discover Heroic Harry’s Inspirational Sarcoma Journey | A 5-Year-Old’s Courageous Battle Against Adversity and Cancer at Nemours Children’s Hospital.

In May 2021, the Italiano family was faced with news that would forever alter their lives. Luciana Italiano, affectionately known as “Lulu,” was diagnosed with Stage L2 Neuroblastoma at just three days old. Luciana’s diagnosis came unexpectedly when a tumor was discovered on her neck shortly after birth. “May 19 was a great and exciting day that turned into nightmare,” says, Lulu’s mother, Carey. “It is an intimidating experience when a newborn baby receives a cancer diagnosis,” says Nemours Children’s Health Hematologist/Oncologist, Dr. Andrew Walter. “Instead of simply celebrating the joy of welcoming a new, healthy child into the world, family members must quickly meet with pediatric specialists and consultants to discuss diagnosis and treatment options and undergo a series of test and procedures. The family doesn’t even have the time to go home and rest.” After being transported to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware shortly after Lulu’s birth, the hospital became the […]

“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 […]