Series note: As the decade comes to an end, we wanted to take some time to reflect upon 2019 and the amazing stories that our bravest patients at Atrium Health Levine Children’s have had throughout the year. Take a trip down memory lane with us in our 12 Days of Christmas.
For more, read Atrium Health's Most Inspiring Stories of 2019
On the first day of Christmas 🎄
Born Premature, Scarlett Became a Death Defying Miracle
When baby Scarlett LaPierre developed a dangerous blood clot, there were few good options to save her life. See how her doctors at Levine Children’s Hospital helped Scarlett become one of a handful of premature babies worldwide to receive a miraculous treatment.
On the second day of Christmas ❄️
Mighty Malia: Mighty but Tough
Malia Waldo was born weighing less than 14 ounces, hardly more than a can of soup. She wasn’t expected to survive the delivery room. But she did. The battle was far from won, and Malia spent the next 269 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Levine Children’s Hospital. Fortunately, Malia was exactly where she needed to be.
On the third day of Christmas 🎁
The Grid: A New Heart Technology that Eliminates Need for Radiology, Surgery and Medication
Levine Children's Hospital houses the first cath lab in the region to use the Grid at Ganatra Cath Labs. The Grid offers an effective, curative approach to ablating arrhythmias. Within minutes, highly skilled physicians eliminate arrhythmias and keep patients from invasive radiology, painful surgery and long-term medication use. For Brad, and for other patients who receive the same procedure, the Grid can cure arrhythmias.
On the fourth day of Christmas 🕯️
Life With Cystic Fibrosis: Palmer’s Fight for a Better Future
Palmer has a rare, lifelong lung condition that presents challenges of its own. She was born with cystic fibrosis, which causes her body to produce a thick mucus that can clog her lungs, making it difficult to breathe. In addition to taking 30 pills a day, Palmer undergoes two hours of breathing treatments, plus a vest that shakes the mucus loose. And that’s when she’s well. But through it all, Palmer is spunky and strong.
On the fifth day of Christmas 🦌
When All Odds Defied Jude Making it to 5 Years Old, He was Celebrated During His 5th Birthday
Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Jude Peters wasn’t expected to live outside of his mother’s womb. This past April, Jude was able to celebrate his 5th birthday surrounded by his loving family and his incredible care team at Levine Children’s Hospital.
On the sixth day of Christmas 🎅🏼
A Rare Kidney Disease Can’t Hold Ben Back
Living with a rare kidney disease isn’t easy. But thanks to support from his team at Levine Children’s Hospital and access to a cutting edge clinical trial, 14-year-old Ben Aguallo is able to live his life to the fullest.
On the seventh day of Christmas 🍪
Dream Come True for 9-Year-Old Patient when she ‘Marries’ Nurse Aide
Gracelyn Traver has had 22 operations at Levine Children’s Hospital, becoming a regular on the 10th floor. Her only birthday wish was to ‘marry’ her nurse aide, Caleb. Hearing this, her care teams at the hospital made her wish come true with a wedding ceremony, complete with an ice cream cone ring.
On the eighth day of Christmas☃️
Therapy Dog Helps Patients During Difficult Transition Period
Your family has just gone through a traumatic experience. Your child is recovering from an accident or sickness and needs weeks or months of therapy before they're ready to go home. It’s a lot to handle. Your child misses home, their bed, their pets, their old life. It sure would be nice to see a wagging tail and cuddle with something soft for a moment. Here's a video of our patients talking about one of our rockstar therapy dogs, Maggie, who comes to visit Levine Children's Hospital twice a week, every week!
On the ninth day of Christmas 🔔
Carolina Panthers Pause to Wave to Levine Children’s Hospital Patients During Sunday Game
One of our favorite moments from 2019! The entire Carolina Panthers stadium, including the players, waved to some of our Levine Children’s Hospital cancer patients during one of the team’s home games this season.
On the tenth day of Christmas 🤶🏼
Brave Brinn and Fighting with Merritt: The Story of Two Inspiring Pediatric Cancer Patients
They’re brave. They’re vibrant. They’re fighting cancer. This is the story of two 2-year-old girls at Levine Children’s Hospital, their strong families and the care team supporting them.
On the eleventh day of Christmas 🎶
Teen Runner with Wolff-Parkinson-White Gets Back on Track
Dr. Grinton is a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s. See how her care teammates stepped in when her daughter mysteriously collapsed during a track meet.
And on the twelfth day of Christmas🌟
Community Brings Light to Pediatric Patients During First Lights for Levine Children's
More than 1,000 people from the Charlotte community gathered in front of Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital to bring light to the lives of the patients and families who are inpatient during the holiday season. The community, which consisted of former patients, parents who had lost loved ones, and general supporters wanting to send well wishes, shined flashlights on the hospital, and the patients inside shined them right back, as everyone sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
They may be small in stature, but our patients at Levine Children’s Hospital are the most inspiring people that we can all learn a little something from. We hope you agree after reading their stories above! Happy holidays everyone! ❤️ 💙 💛
