meet our
miracles
hover over each photo to view their stories
LOGAN PARKER
Logan was born with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, a central nervous system defect of the brain that affects mobility and speech skills. This is a very rare disease, with only 1,000 known cases in the world. Logan wasn't supposed to live past his 10th birthday, but defied the odds - thanks to the people at McLane Children's and his family, he's now 13 years old.
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Logan's favorite movie is Cars, and he loves the color red!
RYLEIGH HARVEY
Ryleigh was born at 24 weeks gestation along with her twin sister Huntley. Sadly, her sister didn't make it, but the Harvey family continues to remember her each and every day. Ryleigh spent 88 days in the NICU at McLane Children’s, where she had surgery to repair a heart condition common in premature babies known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus, and spent time on a ventilator. Today, she is loving life with her little sisters!
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Ryleigh wants to be a Panda Biologist when she grows up!
TATUM CROWELL
Tatum was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer at just a few months old, and underwent a successful liver transplant by age 2. As a result of the chemo he received to treat his cancer, Tatum suffered from hearing loss and was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease. He then underwent a procedure to have his left lung removed. Today, Tatum is 14 years old and loving every bit of life!
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Tatum loves to dance, and has beat the yell leaders in dance battles at our dance marathons several times!
MAYA DONALDSON
Maya was born at 22 weeks gestation and stayed in the NICU for 128 days. During her stay in the NICU, she experienced PDA ligation, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a bowel perforation, 9 bone fractures, and Retinopathy of prematurity, which was caused by development of abnormal blood vessels in her retina. Due to ROP, she had to have 2 major eye surgeries at just a few weeks old. After 128 days, she was finally able to leave the NICU, and has not had any major health problems since!
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Today, Maya is 11 years old and loves to play softball!
KAIDYN JOHNSON
Kaidyn was born 4 months early, weighing only 1 lb 4 oz. Six days earlier, her twin sister, Kaiya, was born, but sadly didn't make it. Kaidyn continues to remember her sister as her hero, who allowed her to hold on just a little bit longer. Kaidyn stayed in the NICU for about 4 months, and it was there that her family met the Donaldsons - Kaidyn and Maya have been friends ever since! Today, she has nonstop energy.
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Kaidyn loves to dance and cheer, and her favorite color is pink!
AVA CANALES
Ava was born with Spina bifida, and has had multiple surgeries to stabilize her spine. Unfortunately, Ava loses strength and sensation in her legs with every operation. During physical therapy at McLane Children's, Ava does many strength and balance exercies. Ava's first doctor told her she'd never be able able to walk, but she has overcome the odds, and now loves to show pigs and participate in 4H.
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Ava is crazy about pigs, Aaron Watson, the color pink, and stock show season!
MCLAINE UPTON
Mclaine was born with an enlarged aorta, and had to undergo multiple surgeries in order to repair it. Due to his enlarged aorta, Mclaine has had to be very cautious with his amount of physical activity. He has never allowed his heart condition to define him, and after months of begging, Mclaine played his first season of flag football ever last fall! He loved his first season, and since his coach was a cardiologist, he knew he'd be in good hands if something ever happened!
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Mclaine loves his two older brothers, and his favorite movie is The Greatest Showman!
MHYRUN HURST
In July of 2018, Mhyrun began experiencing numbness in his left extremities and slurring his speech. Numerous tests revealed signs of two “mini-strokes” caused by blocked arteries. Mhyrun was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease, a rare condition in which the arteries supplying blood to the brain become narrow or blocked. Surgery was performed to sew a scalp artery on to Mhyrun’s brain to restore blood flow. A day after his surgery, Mhyrun suffered a stroke that caused the left side of his face to droop. Doctors believed the effects of the stroke could be reversed in three to six months, but Mhyrun’s big smile was back to normal in just one week.Mhyrun was able to be home in time for Christmas and has since been thriving. He has the heart of a soldier and continues to fight daily.
Mhyrun enjoys riding horses, playing basketball, and playing the drums.
RYLEIGH PICOTT
Ryleigh Picott is an 11 year old girl who was diagnosed in 2019 with Muscular Dystrophy Collagen 6 deficiency. Ryleigh is due to have spinal surgery in September 2020 for severe scoliosis which is collapsing her left lung and doing countless other damages to her organs. Ryleigh has AFO’s that she proudly displays to show off her individuality. She has a power wheelchair that she uses for distances greater than 300 steps. Ryleigh has 4 machines, 8 medicines and 6 sessions of therapy that she does every week. Ryleigh attends Physical Therapy to prevent her muscles from stiffening, speech to keep the muscles she has in her jaw throat and neck, and finally Occupational to help her practice and find new ways for her to do daily tasks such as personal Hygiene or chores. Ryleigh is always busy and is constantly volunteering for McLane Children Medical Center to raise funds for their summer camp that they offer, their new equipment and of course their top notch bed side manner.
AYDIN DAVIS
Aydin was only given 3 days to live after birth, but has fought strongly through 43 surgeries and numerous hospital stays. He is now 11 years old and living life well.
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Aydin loves theme parks and can even tell you facts about ones he hasn’t been to, playing Fortnite, and playing sports in the No Limitations and Challenger Leagues of Waco, TX.