Miami University student E.J. Coulas has been in remission for 12 years after battling an aggressive type of leukemia. The disease struck before he was old enough to understand it. He was in treatment for more than 3 years, yet he says his memories are mostly positive. “When I was a kid, I didn’t think […]
Transgender teen in Akron Children’s program hopes her story helps others
Florence Montecalvo came to terms with her gender identity after she was diagnosed with bone cancer in 7th grade. She underwent 18 rounds of chemotherapy and had 3 ribs removed. She identified as a gay man at that time, and after cancer came to realize she was not comfortable being a male. “The cancer for […]
Two moms united as their babies with failed kidneys beat the odds
Carlla Detwiler and Patricia Lopp were strangers brought together by unimaginable adversity of carrying babies who had no working kidneys. Both women were advised to consider terminating their pregnancies, or prepare for the possibility that their babies would die shortly after birth. Newborns with non-functioning kidneys have difficulty surviving because their lungs need amniotic fluid […]
Wren Patterson like “a whole new baby” after heart repair
The day after Wren Patterson was born in October, doctors were concerned about a heart murmur and her low blood oxygenation. An echocardiogram at Aultman Hospital in Canton showed the reason. Wren had a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of Fallot, characterized by 4 malformations that robbed her of adequate blood flow to the lungs […]
After heart ablation at Akron Children’s, Oklahoma mom delivers a healthy boy
Jessica Culbert, who came to Akron Children’s Hospital from Bixby, Oklahoma, in March for a successful heart procedure, credits pediatric cardiologist Dr. John Clark with saving two lives. Hers and her unborn baby’s. Jessica was pregnant with her third child when she and her husband, Devan, went on a nationwide search for a heart specialist […]
Austin Coldsnow chases his dreams living with type 1 diabetes
Austin Coldsnow is a model of personal success with type 1 diabetes. The 20-year-old Hartville resident was a standout athlete in high school who earned all-conference honors in soccer, track and football. He played on a nationally ranked soccer travel team as well. He’s a Malone University psychology major, a midfielder on the university soccer […]
