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 […]
Our top “In the Moment” posts from February 2020
There were some touching stories of children overcoming their health challenges sprinkled amongst our top February “In the Moment” posts. We invite you to take a glance at those you may have missed, or a second peek at those you’ve already enjoyed. 1. We provided this chart to help parents figure out if it is […]
Scotland Zinser has come a long way with rare heart condition
At 17 months old, Scotland Zinser learned to sit himself up. In a few weeks he was crawling. Then standing. “He started walking today,” his mother, Jillian Campbell, said one recent afternoon at their home near Portage Lakes, while her boy with vibrant red hair happily pushed on a stand-up walker toy. “I’m proud of […]
Cardiologists team up to give boy new heart, second chance at life
In retrospect it all happened so fast. Linda and Ryan Amstutz watched in disbelief as their 3-year-old son, Colton, went from his normal, happy life of perpetual motion to his admission to pediatric intensive care, where doctors told them his young heart was failing and he might need to be put on the list for […]
Children’s Champion spotlight: Will Brown
For Will Brown, running in the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series is personal. He’s not necessarily going after personal best times, rather he’s running to support Akron Children’s which has helped his family in the most personal way possible – saving his son’s life. Will’s son, Grayson, was diagnosed with congenital heart defects […]
Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley continues the mission of Touched by Nathan
A Struthers couple is living up to the mission they began nearly 2 decades ago: support families who struggle with caring for a medically fragile child. Ken and Vicki Pavalko started the Touched by Nathan Foundation in honor of their late son, Nathan Charles Pavalko. He passed away 40 days after he was born with […]
