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Transplant

Joshua’s story begins with his 20-week anatomy scan, which revealed signs of a lower urinary tract obstruction. Born with underdeveloped and cystic kidneys, he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Holly, Joshua’s mother, recalls, “We were told before his birth that if he survived, he would need dialysis to bridge him to a kidney transplant.” “Joshua’s condition has been difficult since birth,” shares Holly. “He had frequent labs, appointments, hospitalizations, and dialysis. His treatments have always been a bridge to transplant. He was medically fragile which impacted the entire family. We have spent much of his life isolating and with limited activity. Despite all this, we know that God is good and we have relied on our faith to help us through the difficult years.” A pivotal moment in Joshua’s journey came when Nemours Children’s Health entered their lives. Recommended by their local medical team, Joshua’s family transitioned to care […]

Growing up in rural Jamaica, Dr. Judith A. Jones was inspired by the idea of helping others. In a community where the only female healthcare professionals she saw were nurses, her older brother’s encouragement sparked the realization that she, too, could become a doctor. “It reinforces for me to this day how a casual comment can change the trajectory of a child’s life, making things possible that were not previously dreamt of,” says Dr. Jones. “My big brother told me I could be a doctor, and so I did, because it was the way in which I believed I could help people. As a young girl, I had an overwhelming sense that I should help people when I grew up. My parents were incredibly hard-working and were professionals despite coming from humble beginnings. Their example and encouragement also led me to pursue medicine as my life’s work.” Her career led […]

From the moment he was born, Luca has been full of surprises. He entered the world in February 2022, a month earlier than expected. Anticipating a baby girl, complete with a gender reveal celebration, Luca’s parents were surprised by his arrival. Their anatomy scan’s mistaken prediction left them pleasantly surprised by their baby boy. Shortly thereafter, concerns arose regarding Luca’s kidney health, along with some unfavorable lab results. Luca was transported to the NICU and later taken to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “When the doctors at Inspira Mullica Hill started to get an inkling that Luca had serious kidney issues, they recommended right away that we be transferred to Nemours Children’s,” says his mother, Cory. “We appreciated their honesty so much, as they explained to us that they didn’t have the capability to deal with Luca appropriately. One doctor even said that if this was his child, he would have […]

Everlee’s story begins with a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, at the age of 17 months. Her mother, Jenna, recalls the moment when she first noticed something amiss with her daughter’s health. “It was right around Christmas of 2022,” says Jenna. As first-time parents, Jenna and Jarod couldn’t shake the feeling that Everlee’s belly seemed larger than normal. Despite reassurances from pediatricians, inklings of concern persisted, especially when family members echoed their observations. “Something just seemed off,” says Jenna. “I was giving her a bath one day, and I laid her out on the towel and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, she just looks so bloated.’” Alarmed, Jenna wasted no time in seeking medical attention. She was able to get Everlee in to see her local pediatrician at their last appointment for the day on Friday, January 13th. The routine examination led to the discovery of a […]