1. Ashley Snider
Age: 4 years old
Diagnosis: Visual Impairment, Speech and Motor Delay
Parents: Jay and Kim Snider
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Four year old Ashley Snider was born with a visual impairment that went undiagnosed by her pediatrician until her family moved to Chattanooga two years ago. This impairment caused speech and fine motor skills delays. Fortunately, her new physician was able determine the cause and sent her immediately to speech and occupational therapies. When she began speech therapy, Ashley was almost nonverbal. Two years of therapy and surgery on her eye a year ago have helped Ashley make tremendous progress. Ashley is now able to go to pre-kindergarten at Brown Academy. She loves her therapists Traci and Jill and they say, "Ashley smiles constantly, works hard and has fun!"
2. Garrett Saylors
Age: 10 years old
Diagnosis: ADEM
Parents: Scott and Angel Saylors
Hometown: Cohutta, GA
On June 7, 2012 Garrett Saylors was a healthy 10 year old boy but the next morning he couldn't even walk. After 8 days in the hospital, an MRI showed how the myelin in his brain was being attacked. Garrett was diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM); however no trigger has been determined. Garrett was given a three day round of a very high dosage of steroids to help kickstart the repair of the myelin. After 3 total weeks in the hospital, Garrett was able to go home and continue his cognitive, speech and occupational therapies. Garrett is a member of Pack 67 of the Varnell Boy Scouts. He enjoys drama, singing and taking care of his animals, especially his chickens.
3. Greer Cofield
Age: 5 years old
Diagnosis: Kicked in the face by a horse
Parents: Gregg and Shannon Cofield
Hometown: Cartersville, GA
Greer Cofield has been taking horseback riding lessons for almost 3 years now. But on October 8, 2012, while walking with her mother, Shannon, in search of her favorite horse, they were charged by another horse. The next thing Shannon knew, she and Greer were both on the ground. Greer took the brunt of the blow, resulting in a laceration from the right side of her forehead to her ear, the right side of her face was crushed and she was unconscious. LifeForce landed in an adjacent field and brought Greer to Children's Hospital. The next day she had reconstructive surgery to her face. After only 11 days in the PICU and on the 3rd floor, Greer was released to go home with the ability to walk, talk and function almost as well as she did prior to the accident.
4. Hilario Sanchez
Age: 8 months
Diagnosis: Pertussis
Parents: Juan Sanchez and Herlinda Martinez
Hometown: Dalton, GA
Hilario was only three months old when his parents brought him to the hospital with a persistent cough. It was more serious than they could have imagined. Hilario had pertussis or whooping cough a highly contagious bacterial disease. He was in the PICU in a coma for a month with only a 20% survival rate, but he overcame the odds. He is a precious little boy who is adored by his parents.
5. Kyra McGowan
Age: 2 years old
Diagnosis: Prematurity at 27 weeks gestation, Birth Weight 1lb 9 ounces
Parents: Brian and Nichole McGowan
Hometown: Signal Mountain, TN
Kyra McGowan was delivered on November 24, 2010 at 27 weeks gestation due to her mother, Nichole's, high blood pressure. While Kyra went to the NICU, her mother went to the ICU where she spent a month in a coma. Meanwhile, Kyra struggled to get enough oxygen, going back and forth from a C-Pap to a ventilator. In February, she became more ill and her parents thought they were going to lose her. But Kyra is a fighter and was able to go home with oxygen on April 6, 2011. Though Kyra continues to utilize some of Children's Therapy Services, she is an energetic 2 year old who loves anything musical.
6. Mackenzie Snyder
Age: 10 months old
Diagnosis: Respiratory Depression
Parents: Matthew Snyder and Karlie Zimmerman
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Mackenzie's birth was greatly anticipated, her mother, Karlie, was induced but by the next day it was clear a c-section needed to be done. As she was waiting, Karlie suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Fourteen minutes passed before her heart was able to be started again. Less than 5 minutes later Mackenzie was born and placed in the NICU. Karlie was put into an induced coma. Both mother and daughter received cooling therapy to help them heal. Ten days after her birth, Mackenzie was able to go home with her parents. For Karlie, she continues to heal but now she and Matt are enjoying all the firsts that come with parenting their miracle.
7. Rachel Price
Age: 17
Diagnosis: Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Parents: Shannon and Dana Price
Hometown: Sale Creek, TN
Rachel Price was rarely sick, but in August of 2011 she knew things weren't right. Rachel had persistent symptoms of super dry skin and hair loss and really didn't feel like herself. A knot was then found under her arm and she was first given stronger antibiotics. But there was still no improvement to her condition. A biopsy was done and the pathology report that this was lymphoma. But even with the news, Rachel refused to slow down. Through weekly chemotherapy treatments, Rachel remains playing basketball. She has even played with a feeding tube in place. Rachel is also playing volleyball and is a cheerleader. She is already thinking about her college options and is interested in becoming a CRNA and going on medical mission trips.
8. Sara Carr
Age: 18
Diagnosis: Diffuse Large Cell Lymphoma
Parents: Douglas and Malinda Carr
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Sara's diagnosis of lymphoma came during her junior year of high school. Cancer was not an unfamiliar concept to Sara, her mother, Malinda, had just completed treatment for breast cancer. Yet Sara remained positive throughout her treatment, teaching herself to play the guitar and writing music. She has given interviews to both the Times Free Press and Sunny 92.3. She even performed an original song on last year's Cure Kids Cancer radiothon, inspiring everyone around her. She is a uniquely poised young lady with a vibrant smile.
9. Wynn Eady
Age: 1
Diagnosis: Nuchal Cord Delivery / Renal Hepatic Failure
Parents: Wells and Anna Eady
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Her beginning was complex and challenging with part of the umbilical cord around her neck. Wynn, affectionately referred to as "Wonder Wynn," had a very rough delivery followed by a long, hard uphill battle with renal hepatic failure to make it home. Wynn spent two and a half months at Children's Hospital in the NICU and PICU. Her mother Anna said, "The only reason we were able to celebrate her first birthday is because of T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital, specifically the NICU and PICU. Wynn would NOT be here today if it hadn't been for the amazing staff at TCT Children's Hospital.
