Our Miracle Families

Here at Miracle at KSU we place a huge emphasis on being a family. As a family it is important that you know why we do what we do. Our 'why' is our everything. It's what keeps each member of this organization going when the road gets long and our goals seem so far out of reach. These kids are our biggest 'why's.

 
 
 

MEET MARY WEBB

At the start of her high school career, Mary was diagnosed with two brain tumors. Mary has now survived both of her tumors after being treated at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center!! She was also was treated in the neonatal intensive care unit for 33 days after being born prematurely. 

 

MEET NOLAN MADSEN

At eight years old, Nolan was diagnosed with cancer in his femur. After being treated at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center and going through pediatric sports physical therapy he was able to get back to playing his favorite game of baseball! 

MEET SELENA AMERSON

Selena was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma October 2016. She had chemo for over a year and also had to have a knee replacement procedure done. She still is in and out of CHOA for scans and clinic visits. She loves to swim, loves art work and chorus! She recently just started survivor clinic end of July 2019. She is 16 years old and is a junior in high school.

 

MEET LUCIE BUTLER

Lucie could not breathe from the moment she was born. She developed persistent pulmonary hypertension and her blood/oxygen levels remained low. She was placed on ECMO for nine days at CHOA. She had surgery soon after on her diaphragm and after three NICU, she made a full recovery! 

MEET THE HENDERSON FAMILY

Abe

Abe Hopkins had suspected mitochondrial disease and spent lots of time at CHOA in search of finding an answer. Sadly, Abe passed away in 2014.

Mary elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth Hopkins was born with Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy where her brain did not tell her muscles to function. She sadly passed in 2014.

Michala

Michala Hopkins was born with Acardi Syndrome and Her leg was amputated to attempt to save her life. She also BEAT Angio Sarcoma Cancer and is living a happy life!

 

MEET PARKER GRELECKI

Parker was born with hydrocephalus, meaning there was a blockage in his brain preventing spinal fluid from draining. At birth, Parker had 98% fluid in his head and 2% brain matter. The first nine months of his life required many shunt and craniofacial surgeries. He is always on the go. He stole the show at DM two year. 

MEET BELLE HELTON

Soon after birth, Belle was diagnosed with a kidney disorder. Doctors estimated her organs wouldn't last more than 18 months. Belle's kidneys showed unexpected improvement for several years. But at age 6, Belle’s blood pressure was equivalent to a 65-year-old smoker. She was in critical condition and in need of a kidney donor. Belle’s parents quickly tested as donors, which led to doctors finding two malignant breast tumors during her mother’s routine physical. Thankfully Kyle, Belle’s father, was a perfect match and willingly gave his kidney to save their daughter.

 

MEET MICHAEL HENDERSON

Michael is our heart warrior, he has had 3 heart surgeries, 4 heart caths, and 7 general surgeries. He attends a summer camp, Camp Braveheart every year. 

MEET RICKY JAMES

Ricky fought rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer for three years before he gained his angels wings in May 2010 at Scottish Rite. Erin was born about four months after his diagnosis, so she spent lots of time at CHOA hanging with her big  brother.

 

MEET JULIANA VENCI

MEET HARRISON MONTAGUE

Juliana was  diagnosed with type  one diabetes at the young age of  6. She has continued to fight this as it has  been an uphill battle and her family is beyond proud of her and how  she  continues to adapt  as a  diabetic patient. 

Harrison has a very rare condition called PURA syndrome and epilepsy. He spent the first four months of his life in NICU and has been going there for the past 16 years. Because of PURA he has a many health problems, which means he sees many specialists at CHOA and many of his surgeries are at Scottish Rite.

 

MEET ELLIE PRUITT

When Ellie was 4 she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis later went into remission. During this time Ellie was a very spunky and active 8 year old until one day she became sick at school and was brought to egleston hospital she went into cardiac arrest, from this Ellie had some brain damage impairing her movement. After 7 days of being in the hospital Ellie passed away in February 2020 but her community and family members live on by her rules of “have fun and love always”. 

MEET THE SLADE TRIPLETS

isabelle

Isabelle Slade, along with her sisters, was born premature. At birth, she had a brain hemorrhage, resulting in hydrocephalus. After several surgeries, a shunt was no longer needed. She developed hemiplegia, which caused her left arm and leg to be stiff. She had laser eye surgery to correct blood vessels in her eyes that were not formed correctly. 

gracie

Gracie Slade, along with her sisters, was born premature. She spent 95 days in NICU. Developed an infection that was life threatening, but the doctors were able to treat it and she is completely healthy now. 

emma

Emma Slade, along with her sisters, was born premature, but has not had any further complications. She spent 95 days in NICU. Although the smallest of her sisters, she had no problems and is a healthy girl. 

 

MEET CHALRI JANE SPRADLIN

Charli Jane was life flighted to Egelston at one day old. She was diagnosed with 22Q Deletion, which causes many health issues. She has autism, celiac disease, hearing loss. Charli has had two open heart surgeries and 9 other surgeries. 

MEET LEVI SUMERALL

Levi spent 4 months in the NICU. He has a rare disease that affects his vascular system. He goes to PT at the Town Center PT once a week.

 

MEET TYLER THOMAS

MEET LARS OLIVIERI

Tyler is a cardiac patient at the Sibley Heart Center, his most recent surgery was this October 2018. He also has a pacemaker and carries his good luck teddy with him everytime he goes to CHOA. 

Lars was born with hydrocephalus and had a hole in his intestine. He spent 114 days in NICU and has had all 17 of his surgeries at CHOA. He had a heart attack at six months old, but is a healthy five year old! 

Lars loves everything about Braves and Snoopy. At DM, he could be found playing with a ball the whole time.

 

ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM, ONE LOVE