Shortly after her 2nd birthday, Lydia Warrens was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK). A rare diagnosis, CCSK represents 2-4% of all renal cancer diagnoses in children and can quickly spread from the kidney to other organs, including the bone, lungs, brain and soft tissues. Lydia and her mom, Sara, were transported via helicopter from Green Bay…
“We began our foster care/adoption journey in 2012. Given that we have medically complex/fragile children, we are frequent flyers at Children’s Wisconsin and the Ronald McDonald House®. What a gift both places continue to be! This past November into December, our Charlie was inpatient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It was exhausting, and not knowing whether his lungs and…
It was a routine doctor visit for a 20-week ultrasound that changed everything for Alaskan natives, Brittany and Jeremy Lussi, the parents of five boys (Liam, Seth, Jack and twins Rhet and Rory), with twins Beau and Theo on the way. The ultrasound revealed that Theo had a congenital heart defect that would require surgical intervention within his first weeks…
By Alexa Steinbach Before she was born, our daughter Elsie was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries (MAPCAs). Elsie was born on December 14, 2020, at the Froedtert Birth Center and immediately transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Wisconsin (CW). Although we…
When Brianna and Andy took their kids sledding in early March, they did not anticipate a fun family outing turning into a nightmare. Their seven-year-old daughter, Ellie, was riding downhill with a friend when their sled hit an icy patch and sent them full-speed into a tree. Ellie was unconscious, missing teeth and had an extensive leg injury. She was…
Editor’s Note: At the time of publication, Alex and family had to say goodbye to sweet Ava. With the family’s permission, we share this story, honoring Ava’s memory. When you look at the smiling faces of Rachel, Jessica and Alex (pictured above, left to right), you see three strong women with an unbreakable bond. They affectionately refer to themselves as…
With 37 weeks considered a term pregnancy for twins, Kristyn Allen was ready to welcome her daughters into the world at 38 weeks. Braelyn and Brielle joined mom, dad Greg, and big sister Bailey on December 21, 2018. Kristyn had an easy delivery and both twins seemed healthy. Braelyn, “Twin A,” weighed seven pounds, three ounces and Brielle weighed five…
On November 2, 2011, Lindsey and Rob Pearson welcomed Miles into the world. Arriving three months early, Miles spent the first weeks of his life at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, Wisconsin. Eventually, Lindsey had to return to work on a part-time basis, and that’s where she was when she received the phone call that would turn the Pearsons’…
A new treatment plan brought Grace to Milwaukee, but RMHC brought her so much more. Grace has a few favorite things she’s always happy to talk about – including her love of dolls, her friends, and favorite books. When you see her big smile and hear her mom’s laugh, it’s difficult to even picture a kiddo that couldn’t get out…
Seventeen-year-old Aja Phan and her mom, Sheila, are closer than most mothers and daughters. After staying at the Ronald McDonald House 12 times in 2019, with two stays of nearly 150 days each, it’s not difficult to see why. Aja was a typical high school freshman battling finals, preparing for the upcoming soccer season, when her family noticed she was…
