Human Interest
I believe everyone has a story to tell.
Through my experience as the Development Associate for the Development Communications team at the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, I had the unique opportunity to interview patients and health care workers of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford in Palo Alto, CA. This created a chance for me to help others tell their story, and I am so fortunate to have their trust in sharing it with the world.
When Nataly came into the world on July 9, 2020, doctors discovered the true extent of Nataly’s condition: she had a hole on the left side of her heart and a rare condition called Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA), which required emergency surgery. At just one week old, Nataly would have to undergo not one, but two life-saving surgeries. Luckily, they were in the best hands. Nataly was being treated in the Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, one of the leading pediatric heart centers in the nation. Read more …
After eight months of perfect doctor appointments, what began as a simple check-up at the local hospital unexpectedly turned into a chaotic emergency C-section. At almost 33 weeks gestation, Finn Westley Thompson was born on October 9, 2020 weighing 5 lbs 6 oz. In less than 24 hours he was transferred between three different hospitals, finally ending up at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, which became home for Finn and his parents, Brianna and Spencer, for the next four days.
“Finn had everyone on his side,” Brianna says, “Everyone was doing everything to try to save him.” Read more …
If you look at their most recent holiday photo, you will notice a then-5-year-old Ari’s warm smile, the kind faces of mom and dad, Sean and Jessica, and a special treasure nestled in Sean’s arms. This cute stuffed animal—dressed in a sweater and tiny striped pants—is called Lambie. It is as sweet and profound as little Jack, Ari’s younger brother, who lived for 105 days. Read more …
When Stephanie DeHart welcomed her baby boy, Nicholas, in March 2003, she felt a mixture of joy and fear. Nicholas was diagnosed with a devastating heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot, which occurs in 1 out of every 1,000 babies. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal. Nicholas underwent three surgeries with Dr. Hanley and his team, with each surgery lasting more than 10 hours. By the final procedure, the four heart defects that make up tetralogy of Fallot were repaired. Read more …
Stan was admitted to the Con Home twice, and has one particularly strong memory from when he was 8 years old. He remembers that the 1959 World Series was played during his second inpatient stay; the Los Angeles Dodgers were facing off against the Chicago White Sox. Children at the Con Home were treated for an array of chronic illnesses, including tuberculosis, or, in Stan’s case, asthma. Read more …
“I wanted to do something for the kids to make them feel happy and excited,” says 8-year-old Peyton Fisher. Peyton is a former patient at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, and now, a Champion for Children.
She is a bright young girl whose favorite pastimes are painting and coloring. She also enjoys hot-gluing things together and making slime. Peyton’s passion for creativity is something that has followed her ever since her first visit to Packard Children’s. Read more …