The Face of {rewrite}

Siblings Christopher and Emily were born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease that causes severe muscle weakness and can affect a child's ability to walk, eat, communicate and breathe. Phoenix Children's offers a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment, Zolgensma, that effectively changes the course of life for children with SMA, who would otherwise face an incurable, lifelong disability. Philanthropy makes lifesaving and life-changing breakthroughs possible and helps us transform lives.

Joey is a happy and thriving infant with achondroplasia, a rare genetic bone disorder that causes dwarfism. Thanks to early intervention and the expert care of his team at the Skeletal Health and Dysplasia Clinic and Child Life, Joey is progressing well. His family says Child Life was a “light during dark times.” Child Life had 110,000 patient and family interactions in 2022 through play, support and therapeutic arts. This family-centered program is largely supported by philanthropy.

Meet Adam, a lifelong patient of Phoenix Children’s. Despite his challenges, including Down syndrome, autism, bilateral eye issues and a congenital heart defect, he lives life to the fullest. Adam loves singing, golfing, giving hugs and Taylor Swift. Phoenix Children's established the first Down Syndrome Clinic in Arizona through the joint efforts of our philanthropic community. Adam's family says the clinic's family-centered, multidisciplinary approach has helped him thrive.

George is a happy infant despite the challenges he's faced. At 3 months old, he was diagnosed with XIAP deficiency, a rare genetic condition primarily affecting boys. George has had to undergo chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants, after the first failed. Patients like George benefit from the Phoenix Children's Bone Marrow Transplant fund, which improves the lives of patients who undergo transplants and helps us provide services to patients beyond what is covered by insurance.

Joy has spent much of her life at Phoenix Children’s after being diagnosed in utero with a rare condition caused by four heart defects. She has had two open-heart surgeries and several procedures, but her family says she's in the right hands. Joy is a patient at our Center for Heart Care, the fifth-largest pediatric cardiac program in the nation. She and her mother found healing through our music and art therapies, two of 170+ family-centered programs funded through philanthropy.

At 14, Nicholas was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor. He has had a complex journey at Phoenix Children's, including tumor resection, chemotherapy, nutrition, physical therapy and palliative care. Phoenix Children's Palliative Care team offers compassionate care, education and advocacy for patients facing life-limiting conditions, including cancer. Through the generosity of our donors, our program provided more than 5,200 visits in 2022.

Nixen is an active teen who loves sports and his dog, Tashi. At the age of 12, Nixen found himself sidelined after being diagnosed with Chiari malformation, an abnormality in the back of the head where the brain and spinal cord meet. Nixen underwent successful brain surgery and treatment at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's (BNI), one of our nine Centers of Excellence that rely on philanthropy and endowments to keep us at the forefront of innovation and research.

At 1 year old, Nolan “Noly” was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a cancerous mass that engulfed his entire abdomen. His mom, Brie, says Nolan's story is about every person at Phoenix Children's who was “a part of a thousand little miracles that meant life” for Nolan. Brie says our Spiritual Care Program, which is 100% funded by philanthropy, brought her family comfort during a difficult time and sparked a ministry that's growing like a flame in prayer and hope.

Sutton is a spirited 11-year-old and lifelong patient of Phoenix Children's with a complex medical journey that includes kidney reflux, immune deficiency, Crohn's disease, and feeding and gastrointestinal issues. Despite numerous treatments, therapies and surgeries, she lives life on her terms. Phoenix Children’s is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals for gastroenterology and GI surgery.

Yelitza is a happy toddler who overcame a tough beginning, having been diagnosed in utero with a severe congenital heart disease that caused a large hole in the tissue to separate the left and right sides of her heart. Yelitza's family credits her recovery to the lifesaving care she received at Phoenix Children’s. During her stays, music therapy, one of 170+ programs funded through donations, was integral to Yelitza's healing process. She loves musical toys, instruments and dancing, just like her family.