Patient Stories

The young patients we care for each year at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh come to us from the far corners of the world in search of hope and healing.

Our goal for all patients and families is to make them feel at home until they can return home. Read some of their stories.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia – Bone Marrow Transplant

Genesis smiling for the camera wearing a brown shirts with black hearts

Genesis was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 3 months old. Read about her and her family's journey from Puerto Rico to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for an umbilical cord blood transplant.

Read Genesis's story

Congenital Eye Condition - International Patient Story

Ameera and Alhanoof were diagnosed with a very rare congenital eye disorder. Learn more about their journey to UPMC Children's.

Read Ameera and Alhanoof's story

Ebstein's Anomaly – Da Silva Center

Tiago Maljacek Silva flexing his arms in front of the hospital

Tiago was diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly before birth. Read about his journey from Slovakia to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Tiago's story

Heart Transplant – International Patient Story

Amirah received a Heart transplant from UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Read more about her story.

Read Amirah's story

Heart Transplant – International Patient Story

Amirah continued her recovery in the Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Unit following a Heart transplant from UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Read more about her story.

Read Amirah's story

Peters Plus – International Patient Story

Stoni suffered from Peters Plus and had cleft palate and lip surgery and a corneal transplant. Read his story at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Stoni's story

Ossifying Fibroma – International Patient Story

Nayelie suffered from Ossifying Fibroma. Read more about her experience and procedure at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Nayelie's story

Atrioventricular Septal Defect – International Patient Story

Miguel suffered from Atrioventricular Septal Defect. Read more about his experience and success of his procedure at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Miguel's story

Alagille Syndrome – Pediatric Liver Transplant

Dante suffered from Alagille syndrome. Read more about his experience and treatment of his procedure at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Dante's story

Sanfilippo Syndrome – International Patient Story

Elena suffered from Sanfilippo syndrome. Learn about her undergoing the first clinical trial for her condition at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Elena's story

Propionic Acidemia – Liver Transplant

Learn about Saleh's experience with Propionic Acidemia at Children's Hospital.

Saleh suffered from propionic acidemia, a metabolic disorder. He traveled from Qatar to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh to receive a living-donor liver transplant procedure.

Read Saleh's story

Congenital Glaucoma – Tubes and Implants

Jasem suffered from congenital glaucoma. He traveled from his native Kuwait to receive world-class treatment at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Learn more about his story.

Read Jasem's story

Wilson's Disease – Liver Transplant

Learn more about Abdulhadi's experience with Wilson's Disease at Children's Hospital.

Abdulhadi suffered from Wilson's Disease. He traveled from his native Kuwait to receive care at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Learn more about his procedure and recovery.

Read Abdulhadi's story

Cataract and Cornea Surgery – International Patient Story

Learn more about Denilson's Cataract and Cornea Surgery at Children's Hospital.

Denilson, who lived in a Guatemala orphanage, underwent cataract and cornea surgery at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Learn more about his success.

Read Denilson's story

Krabbe Disease – International Patients

Learn more about Levi's experience with Krabbe Disease at Children's Hospital.

Levi suffered from Krabbe Disease. His family traveled from his home in Australia to receive care at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Learn more about his care.

Read Levi's story

Crigler-Najjar – Liver Transplant

Learn more about Naldyshka's experience with Crigler-Najjar at Children's Hospital.

Puerto Rico native Naldyshka suffered from Crigler-Najjar syndrome and received a liver transplant from her father. Learn more about her experience at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Naldyshka's story

Miller-Dieker Syndrome – Rare Neurological Disease

Learn more about Valeria's experience with Renal Tubular Acidosis at Children's Hospital.

Valeria suffered from renal tubular acidosis. Her family traveled from their native Mexico to receive world-class treatment at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Valeria's story