Teens and young adults in treatment for cancer at Akron Children’s are now able to feel more at home in custom-designed patient rooms created just for them. The Adolescent and Young Adult wing at the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders features 6 renovated rooms for patients ages 13 to 23. The […]
At Akron Children’s, we believe in the power of personal stories to provide support and inspiration. We encourage you to share how we’ve touched you and your family, and by doing so, allow our online community to learn from your experiences.
How a routine well visit saved Natalie Downs’ life
Happily anticipating her arrival, Mariah Garland and Robert Downs were excited to finally meet their daughter, Natalie, on Nov. 22, 2014. The young parents from Barberton felt so blessed to have such a happy and healthy baby girl — or so they thought. During a routine 1-month wellness checkup, Natalie’s head circumference had gone from […]
Community rallies around New Franklin boy recovering from serious burn
How many parents can relate? Your child asks repeatedly to help you with the chores and you’re torn because you know it’s probably quicker to proceed without the help. Aaron Morris, of New Franklin, was there on July 11 and saying “yes” to his helpful son, Mason, will be a lifelong regret. Aaron was doing […]
New process for scoliosis surgery gives Chloe a reason to cheer
When she takes center stage, Chloe Mershimer is standing a little taller these days. Six months ago, the 15-year-old dancer and cheerleader from New Middletown had a spinal fusion to correct scoliosis or curvature of the spine. Now after making a full recovery, she’s 1 ¼ inches taller and able to fully resume the activities […]
Hale brothers are ‘twinning’ from the inside out
For most, ‘twinning’ is a fun way to sport the same outfit or hairstyle as someone else, but on Aug. 3, National Twins Day, twinning celebrates similarities in a way few others will ever know – the special bond of being an actual twin, fraternal or identical. For identical twins, Laken and Cason Hale, ‘twinning’ […]
Max’s cleft palate journey continues with success
My son, Max, was born in the middle of a November blizzard in 2008 with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Rewind to our 20 week ultrasound, where we were excited to find out his gender but were surprised to instead learn that he had a cleft. The tech was certain about his lip but […]
