Patient Stories

At Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, we are amazed every day by the spirit and strength of the shining stars we call our patients.

As you read the inspiring stories shared by patient and their families, we encourage you to take a few minutes to inspire others by sharing your Children's story.

"I was born the size of a dollar bill"

Katie's Story
Age: 20
When I was born I weighed only 1-pound, 14- ounces. No longer than a dollar bill, my dad could slip his wedding ring around my tiny wrist. Born 15 weeks early, I was given only a 50-percent chance I would survive my first 24- hours of life. I spent three weeks on a ventilator that helped me breathe, and many months thereafter in Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) alongside other infants who were also hooked up to machines and crying.

Due to the fact I was born so early, I had vision problems as a young child. As a fifth grader, I finally had to get glasses after I could no longer read the chalkboard. Although I didn’t like wearing them, I also knew I could easily have been blind so I tried my best not to complain.

Today I’m 20 years-old and in college. I donate blood every few months and I just got back from a service trip to Guatemala. I like giving back to the community and helping others. I’ve been active in cheerleading, band and choir and have no long-term health problems.

"Doctors said I had a 5 percent chance of living" Charlie's Story Born at just 25 weeks – 15 weeks early – doctors told my parents I only had a 5- percent chance of survival.

"At birth, I weighed just over 2 pounds, 2 ounces" Jonathan's Story Because I was so tiny, I was put on life support and had to spend the first 66 days of my life in Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

"I now have a 95 percent chance of remaining off treatment" Kate's Story When I was just 11 months old, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.

"I no longer need my wheelchair" Zach's Story When I was younger, I was treated for leukemia at Children’s. However, because of my leukemia treatment I developed a very rare side effect called avascular necrosis.

"I wasn't expected to live past my first birthday" Ira's Story When I was six-weeks old I was diagnosed with Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder; I wasn't expected to live past my first birthday.

"I beat the odds" Christy's Story I was born with a congenital heart defect that prohibited the blood in my heart from reaching my lungs and gaining oxygen.

"I was born with a heart defect" Erin's Story Even before I was born, my parents knew I had a heart defect. At six days old, I had my first open heart surgery and stayed at Children’s for three weeks.