GwenGwen suffered a stroke while in the womb that lead to the loss of the majority of her left hemisphere. Gwen goes to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital weekly for various appointments, and has been gaining strength. Nothing stops Gwen from always having a huge smile on her face!
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Jaelyn and MadisonJaelyn and Madison are twins who were born prematurely and spent 72 days at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital where they received the medical care needed to grow and thrive. Now, Jaelyn and Madison always brighten our day with their smiling and happy faces!
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Victor, Cecelia, and HughVictor spent eight weeks in the hospital fighting each day to get bigger and stronger. Cecilia was born 7 weeks early and spent 1 week at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital where she received breathing and feeding support. Hugh was only 3 pounds 8 ounces when he was born. He spent a total of 5 weeks in the hospital where he gained strength.
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Ben and OwenBen and Owen are twins who were born prematurely, both weighing 2 pounds 4 ounces. They suffered from respiratory, brain, circulatory, and other serious and life threatening concerns. The twins spent 70 days in the hospital, and finally were able to support themselves. Ben and Owen are so funny and energetic, and always keep us entertained with their games and dancing!
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ZuzuZuzu’s family has had a special bond with Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital ever since Zuzu’s older brother passed away after spending some time in the NICU. As a toddler, Zuzu had an hemangioma (abnormal growth of vascular tissue) on her eyelid, which was treated at Rainbow.
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EliEli was diagnosed with phenylketonuria when he was 3 weeks old. PKU is the inability to break down protein properly, so Eli must remain on a very strict diet in order to prevent brain damage. Eli loves to show his funky moves on the dance floor, and especially loves playing with the other kids at the marathon!
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TomTom was hit hard by a baseball during a rec league game, and he became unconscious and unresponsive. He was rushed to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital where they found that Tom was experiencing an often lethal disruption of heart beat caused by the force of the baseball. Rainbow was able to bring Tom’s heart back to normal rhythm. Tom continues to enjoy sports and is happy and healthy!
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CordeliaCordelia battled neuroblastoma as a newborn. She’s a feisty 7- year old now and doing wonderfully! She and her big sister are avid bakers!
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LorenzoLorenzo is a UH miracle baby. The Congenital Heart Collaborative at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's performed in utero heart surgery when his mom was 24 weeks pregnant, saving his life and reversing his most severe congenital heart defect. They have started a nonprofit, The Fetal Heart Foundation, to raise money for the hospital.
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HenryBorn at 23 weeks and just 1.5 pounds to parents suffering from addiction, Henry faced many challenges and uncertainties in his early days in UH Rainbow’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. At just two months, he was abandoned, having only his Rainbow team to provide the care he so desperately needed. For the next two months they provided so much more than medical care, truly showing Henry the love and support he deserved. The Rainbow team began advocating on Henry’s behalf and were finally able to pair him with Tara and Sebastian Amoroso, who became his full time caregivers. The Amorosos spent two more months with Henry in the NICU and when he was finally ready to be released from the hospital, they were able to take him home as his legal guardians. A year and a half later, just one week before Henry’s second birthday, he officially became an Amoroso.
Henry loves meeting new people and making friends! He’s so social and loves dancing and his animals. He’s a country boy and is most happy four wheeling riding horses and entertaining his family and friends! Henry also loves playing with his cousin Ryland. |