Patient Stories

Valley Children's is honored to provide care for children living in the Central Valley. We are continually inspired by our patients' courage, and invite you to read these real patient stories as reminders of the journeys of struggle, healing and hope that we encounter daily.

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Survivor Spotlight: Dylan

At two months old, most children are learning to smile at their parents and beginning to react to sounds. At two months old, Dylan Shippey was... Read More

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Fernando's Story

For many people the sound of a bell ringing can mean many things: dinner time, the morning alarm clock, the opening of a new day on the stock... Read More

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Selena's Story

Selena Norwood was having an ordinary day when she brought her 10-month-old daughter, Eva, to the pediatrician for an ear infection. But everything... Read More
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Beatriz's Story

The anxious Torres family thought they were lost at first while heading 70 miles south from Ceres toward Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera.... Read More

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Jeremy's Story

Meet Jeremy. He’s a young hero whose imagination knows no bounds. He finds joy in constructing vibrant cities with magnetic tiles, creating a... Read More

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Samantha's Story

Samantha was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) at 13 months. NF1 not only caused a tumor behind Sammy’s eye, but also a tumor in her... Read More
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Gabby's Story

One morning at school drop-off, Gabby’s mom noticed her dragging her left leg as she walked from the car. That day, school drop-off turned into a... Read More

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Survivor Spotlight: Savannah

At just 16 years old, Savannah Gomes was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. When she was told she had cancer, Savannah had only one thought: “What... Read More

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Survivor Spotlight: Anthony

What does it mean to be a survivor? To 22-year-old Anthony Linares, it means that he is well-equipped and strong enough to overcome anything that... Read More

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Autumn's Story

Autumn was experiencing unexplained bruises, fatigue and pale skin that became so severe, it resembled the aftermath of an accident. It was August... Read More

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Franco's Story

Extreme weakness, fatigue and all of the well-known symptoms that accompanied COVID-19 are what prompted 23-year-old Franco Galinda to seek... Read More

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Andrew's Story

At roughly 6-foot-5, Andrew McMillan never looked like a typical patient at Valley Children’s Hospital.

But at that height and age 17,... Read More

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Survivor Spotlight: Binny

For most teens, the weeks before a sixteenth birthday might be spent planning a party, hanging out with friends, or scheduling a driving test at... Read More

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Jakob's Story

Meet Jakob. Everything he does is with the most sincere intentions and through his volunteer work, Jakob is a beam of light that has brought hope... Read More

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Emoryi's Story

“She’s the family comedian – she can turn your frown upside down so fast,” says Victoria James about her 1-year-old daughter, Emoryi. With her... Read More