Immune thrombocytopenic purpure (ITP)

Avianca loves Barbies. "I probably have 10," she says. "I have three Barbie cards, one Dream House and a swimming pool." I have baby Barbies, I have grown-up Babies, I have Babies where their feet are flat and I have Barbies where they're on their toes."

She even has a doctor-Barbie. She's become quite familiar with the profession since being diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (OPT) at age 5. ITP is a blood disorder characterized by a low blood platelet count. It can cause easy bruising and bleeding. 

Avianca's first symptoms were large, "angry pruple" bruises, which she calls purpuras, that thankfully didn't hurt. But they looked alarming enough that Avianca's parents, Frik and Elizabeth, took her to urgent care. They were immediately sent to Niswonger Children's Hospital where she was diagnosed and treated with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). 

Avianca's condition is monitored with monthly blood checks. if her platelets are low, she return to Niswonger Children's Hospital for another dose of IVIG. Then, it doesn't take long until she's feeling better and playing with her Barbies again.

Edgar

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Edgar discovered LEGO® toys in kindergarten when he was given a set as a prize. But it wasn't until he was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy that he became genuinely interested in them. Now he especially enjoys builingg LEGO® airplanes and cars.

Since the day he was born, Edgar never got sick beyond an occasional cold. Then, a few weeks before his sixth birthday, he developed a nasty cough. His mother, Leonor, took him to Niswonger Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. The nurse listened carefully as Leonor described Edgar’s symptoms — heavy breathing, fatigue, high fever and lower back pain. “She took them as a warning sign that something was wrong,” says Leonor.  

Edgar was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and was immediately transferred to Memphis for treatment. When he was finally well enough to return home to Jonesborough, the family was relieved he could continue his chemotherapy close to home at Niswonger Children’s Hospital's pediatric oncology clinic. “He’s a very strong boy,” Leonor says. “He never complains about anything and is always smiling.”

Cleo

Type 1 Diabetes

Bubbly, friendly Cleo is a true performed and loves making people laugh. The first time she took center stage, she was six months old and dolled up in a pageant dress. She usually participates in about three or four pageants a year. But those were put on hold last year when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a week before she turned five. Cleo's world - and her mother's - were suddenly turned upside down. 

"We had to turn out attention to others," says her mother, Bethane. During a three-night stay at Niswonger Children's Hospital, Cleo was given insulin to stabilize her blood sugar, and Bethane learned how to monitor her condition with insulins shots.

The silver lining was meeting Cleo's nurse practitioner at the hospital, who also has type 1 diabetes. "Cleo knows that her nurse understands what she's going through," Bethane says. "And that made her feel a lot better."

Cleo's managing so well that she was able to start kindergarten last August and is back to taking center stage at the pageants she loves. 

Finley

nicu patient

A 2 years old, Finley's mom, Annalee, says he loves his books, "Bluey," his stuffed fox named Ron, and, of course, his grandparents, YaYa and Poppy.

Finley has come a long way since he arrived 3-1/2 months early at only 12 inches long and so small that his dad's wedding ring fit around his wrist.

Multiple complications included an intestinal perforation, a brain bleed, low oxygen levels and eye issues that required a transfer to Vanderbilt Medical Center on his actual due date. 

"Finley's heart was the only organ that had no issue," says his mom.

Fortunately, he was able to reutrn to Niswonger Children's Hosptial. "We requred to come back because of the community feel and support we had here," says Annalee. It's where Finley started growing and where he spent 125 days.

While Finley still has issues with his stomach muscles and eating, today he's throwing, thriving and his mom says he's living life as a happy toddler. "And, she says with a laugh, "he's definitely getting this own opinion about things!"

Gracie

Neurofibromatosis

If the dirt caked under her carefully painted fingernails gives any indication, there are two colorful sides to 9-year-old Gracie's personality: the rambunctious, tree-climbing tomboy who loves playing outside, and the girl who likes to play with her American Girl dolls, paint her nails and glue herself to a book on rainy days. No matter what, she always wants to spend time with her younger cousins, who she considers her siblings.

At 2 years old, a terrifying seizure landed Gracie and her family in a series of specialist appointments looking for answers. She was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition she inherited from her mother which causes tumors to grow in the body. The tumor aren't cancerous but cause several health issues, including hearing loss. 

Gracie isn't sure what her future looks like, but she wants to go to college. She thinks she might want to be a police officer one day. 

"She's discovering who she is, and she'll get there," says her mom, Jenny. Her grandmother, Penny, agrees, "She's got a lot of determination." 

Ridge

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Ridge loves playing outdoors, chasing animals on his family's farm and... breakdancing. He also dreams of being a dinosaur trainer and is rarely seen without a T-rex figure in his hand. But three year's ago, when a stubborn fever slowed him down, his mother, Shea, knew something wasn't right. 

She took him to the pediatrician, who ran blood work and immediately sent them to Niswonger Children's Hospital. "He said it was either anemia or leukemia," she recalls. "I don't even remember the 30-minute drive from Greeneville to Johnson City. I was just so numb." 

Niswonger Children's Hospital doctors confirmed his leukemia diagnosis and sent them by ambulance to a hospital several house away. Once there, doctors immediately began a treatment plan. Over the next two years and either months, Ridge was treated there and also at Niswonger Children's Hospital's pediatric oncology clinic, much closer to home. In September, shortly after his fifth birthday, Ridge received his last round of chemotherapy and was luckily deemed cancer-free. 

Mahayla

neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)

Four-year-old Mahayla's world is full of songs and possibilities. She loves to pretend she is Elsa, the fictional character from the computer-animated fantasy film Frozen, and "freeze" people with a wave of her hand. 'She believes she really can freeze us because we immediately stop what we're doing and freeze," says her adoptive mother, Alicia. 

But life hasn't always been games and laughter for Mahayla. She was born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), addicted to five substances, including meth and cocaine. She received no prenatal care and after birth, spent 10 days in the neonatal intensive care until before being released. That's the day Alicia learned about Mahayla and decided to give her a home. 

Mahayla's journey has been difficult, with frequent trips to Niswonger Children's Hospital to treat NAS-related conditions including blockages from an elongated bowel and uncontrolled asthma. But she doesn't let it keep her down. Before long, she is up and signing and dancing again, freezing friends, family and hospital staff with a smile and a wave of her hand.

William

NICU baby

At one year old, William is a kid on the month. He loves his wagon, stroller rides and any toy with wheels. He also loves having his family all together. "He likes it when everyone is there," his father Joey says. "You can just tell he's more content."

It's no wonder, considering the chaotic first three days of William's life. Born via emergency C-section, he was brought to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Niswonger Children's Hospital to be treated for infection and air outside of his lungs. Meanwhile, his mother was recovering in ICU at Franklin Woods Community Hospital, with his father traveling between the two. 

Support from the amazing NICU nurses gave Joey peace during this chaotic time. "It made it easier knowing William was in good hands." 

Now, William is experiencing the world with all the fervent curiosity of a one-year-old, surrounded by his loving family. Joey says it's hard to imagine the situation without having Niswonger Children's Hospital so close. "Truly, God's blessed this region to have Niswonger Children's Hospital." 

Raena

Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Raena has practiced karate since she was four. She's earned a purple belt and learned the bō, a staff used in the martial arts. She loves the challenge karate brings and the self-confidence and discipline it's taught her.

But late last summer, Raena had to put up her bō so she should concentrate on her health. A week before her 13th birthday, Raena's parents, Michael and Crystal, noticed she had no energy. "They thought I was being a lazy teenager," Raena says with a laugh. Bur when she began throwing up, her parents know something was seriously wrong.

Niswonger Children's Hospital doctors diagnosed her with leukemia and immediately sent her to another children's hospital for cancer treatment. Six months later, she was able to return home and continue treatment at Niswonger Children's Hospital's pediatric oncology clinic. Raena's about halfway through a two-and-a-half year treatment program and getting strong every day.

Now that she's feeling better, she is looking forward to returning to the Dojo and training with her Sensei. 

Waylon

Shaken baby syndrome, traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Waylon was so captivated by the glowing lights of the Laugh & Learn Lantern musical toy during his therapy sessions that his adoptive parents, Dustin and Tabby, had to buy him his own toy so he could enjoy it a home, too. At just a year and a half, Waylon brings a special light of his own to his new family, and they are grateful for him.

In February 2023, at just eight months old, Waylon was brought to Niswonger Children's Hospital's emergency department unresponsive. He had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from being violently shaken. As the adoptive parents of Waylon's older sister, Rory, Tabby and Dustin were notified. They immediately brought Waylon into their hearts.

While in the hospital, Waylon captured the hearts of all the nurses. After 52 days, Tabby and Dustin were able to bring him home and begin adoption proceedings. "We couldn't wait to adopt him," Tabby says. "For his sake and for our sake, and just so he would know that he would always be safe with us." 

Blake

Strong futures

Three years ago, Blake made the hardest decision of her life: she surrendered her two girls to a family member so she could seek treatment for substance use disorder.

A year into her recovery journey she entered the Ballad Health Strong Futures residential facility for moms and their children. Four months later, she regained custody of her two children, Dallas, now 7, and Piper, now 6.

Today, theirs lives couldn't be more different. Blake spends every day with her daughters in their own home signing, dancing, watching movies or swimming. The artistic Dallas has an emerging eye for fashion, while social butterfly Piper enjoys spending every second outside with her friends.

Blake credits the Strong Futures program and her faith in God for bringing her family together. She's currently working to earn her certification as a community health navigator to help other people like her.

"I want to spend the rest of my life empowering people to get better," Blake says. "I want to make a difference, even if it's for one, single person."