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Patient Stories

Valley Children's is honored to provide care for children living in the Central Valley. We are continually inspired by our patients' courage, and invite you to read these real patient stories as reminders of the journeys of struggle, healing and hope that we encounter daily.
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Olivia's Story

Energetic, playful and always looking to jump and climb, Olivia was just like any other 4-year-old although, from time to time, she would get a... Read More

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Matthew's Story

Pediatric specialists in our Willson Heart Center diagnosed a deadly congenital heart defect in Matthew Alvarado. Read More
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Tyson's Story

Weighing less than an unopened soda can and one of the tiniest babies born in the world, Tyson Perez was fortunate just to survive. Going home from... Read More
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Darsy's Story

Pregnant with her first child, the last thing Darsy Caballero imagined is that her baby would be born with a serious defect. Gastroschisis is a rare... Read More
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Samantha's Story

Samantha was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) at 13 months. NF1 not only caused a tumor behind Sammy’s eye, but also a tumor in her... Read More
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Jayden's Story

Diagnosed with early onset scoliosis at just five years old, Jayden smiled as he underwent his first spine-lengthening treatment at Valley Children’s... Read More
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Inoel's Story

At 4-feet-six-inches tall and 135 pounds, Inoel Cruz looks like a large 10-year-old – except he’s only 6. Diagnosed at Valley Children’s with ROHHAD... Read More
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Landon's Story

Jennifer and Jason Rice felt shock and fear when they learned their son Landon would be born with a cleft lip – a defect many people think only... Read More
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Peyton's Story

Peyton Laffoon will never forget how Valley Children’s made it possible for him to enjoy a big moment in his young life as a high school senior in... Read More
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Braden's Story

Braden Plaa was 14 years old and near death when he arrived at Valley Children’s in 2013 and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a severe... Read More
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Selena's Story

Selena Norwood was having an ordinary day when she brought her 10-month-old daughter, Eva, to the pediatrician for an ear infection. But everything... Read More
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Sariah's Story

Last November, 13-year-old Sariah underwent a hemispherotomy, a life-changing procedure where Valley Children’s neurosurgeons disconnected the... Read More
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Andrew's Story

At roughly 6-foot-5, Andrew McMillan never looked like a typical patient at Valley Children’s Hospital.

But at that height and age 17,... Read More

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Why I Am a Guild Member

"Valley Children’s has cared for our family for over 30 years! My husband was an oncology patient as a child and both our children both have... Read More

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Our Featured Volunteer

JoAnn Miller, more commonly known as, “Grandma JoAnn,” has served as a volunteer chaplain aide through our spiritual care program for 17... Read More