meet our
miracles
Hover over each photo to view their stories
RYLEIGH HARVEY
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 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 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 15 years old and loves to play softball!
AYDIN DAVIS
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.
KAIDYN JOHNSON
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!
ABE COX
ABE COX
At 13 months old, Abe was hit by a car and rushed to McLane Children's Medical Center. He had multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed, 7 broken ribs, damaged lungs, and spleen and liver contusions. He spent 21 days on life support and now he is a healthy boy with no permanent injuries.
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Abe wants to grow up to be a policeman. He loves all toys but he especially loves cars, dinosaurs, Minecraft, and Yoda. His favorite color is blue and he dreams of meeting John Cena.
AVA CANALES
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!
AARON GERIK
AARON GERIK
Aaron was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia in 2015. He struggled to take medication orally, so the family decided a feeding tube would be best. He also had a port placed to receive chemotherapy. His treatment continued for 4 years and is now in remission.
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Aaron loves the color yellow and especially all things Pokemon. He loves to play basketball and Minecraft. His favorite movie is Ghostbusters.
RYLEIGH PICOTT
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.
ELLA & AUDREY STOTT
ELLA & AUDREY STOTT
Ella & Audrey are identical twins who were born about 9 weeks premature. They both spent several weeks in the NICU. After being released, it was determined that both girls would need regular visits with a cardiologist for minor heart defects. At a check-up around 1 year of age, the cardiologist noticed that both of their foreheads were coming to a point. It was determined that both girls had Metopic Craniosynostosis and would require cranial vault reconstructive surgery. Both girls are now healthy and no other surgeries have been needed.
DANNY AGEE
DANNY AGEE
At age 10, Danny was rushed to the hospital unable to breathe on his own. They found out there that he had a brain tumor causing a build-up of fluids. A drain was immediately placed to help remove excess fluids while they waited to operate. The next morning they were able to perform surgery to remove the tumor.
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Danny is a brain tumor warrior who loves staying busy playing golf when he's not watching the Dallas Cowboys play football!
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KUTTER SHED
KUTTER SHED
When Kutter was 4 years old, he was run over by a riding lawn mower. His legs and intestines got severely injured by the blades leading to the loss of more than 80% of his intestines. He went through over a dozen surgeries and was in the hospital for 6 weeks before switching to outpatient therapy. After multiple surgeries and extended time in the hospital, Kutter was able to walk and jump again!​
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Some of his favorite things include the color blue, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ninja Turtles, and Legos.
MCKENZIE COVERT
MCKENZIE COVERT
At just 3 years old, McKenzie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Her journey included multiple rounds of chemotherapy, numerous hospital stays, and several doctor's appointments. She is now a thriving teenager and celebrating 5 years being cancer free!