Our son, Chayton Williamson, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, Medulloblastoma, on February 9, 2006 at the age of three.  Chayton endured seven months of Chemotherapy at the AFLAC Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Scottish Rite Campus).   At that point he was in full remission and enjoying playing soccer and attending pre-school. In October of 2007, during a routine MRI, a new tumor was discovered and again we were faced with a diagnosis of Medulloblastoma. Under the guidance of our trusted neuro-oncologist, Dr. Claire Mazewski, we explored new treatment options for Chayton’s case.After determining what our insurance would cover we decided to pursue Stem Cell transplant at Duke University Medical Center and followed that with Proton Radiation in Jacksonville Florida. This was the recommendation of Dr. Mazewski. The transplant was very hard on Chayton but he handled it with true grace and strength. After only a two-week stay at home it was off to Jacksonville for Proton Radiation. In August of 2008 Chayton completed his treatment there and returned home in full remission again.Chayton remains in remission today and it is because of the care and guidance he has received at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the AFLAC Cancer Center at Scottish Rite.  We thank you for allowing us to be a part of ugaMiracle and thank you for your support of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. We are incredibly blessed to have Chayton and his family apart of our UGA Miracle family, and we are so excited to welcome them back in 2011-2012!

Chrissy was born extremely early at 26 weeks, but she had two things going for her, the strength and will to live and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Transport Team. Chrissy was born at an outside facility and was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston where she underwent two lifesaving operations at 18 hours of life. She then continued to have three other surgeries within the next two years. Because of this life changing experience, her mother, Donna, decided to go to EMT school then on the Paramedic school before joining the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Transport Team in 2005 where her own experience as a mother and a caregiver of sick and injured children have been proved most valuable.  Chrissy today is a happy, healthy 16 year old that continues to help others with her warm charm and infectious laugh. We are so glad to have Chrissy and her family apart of our UGA Miracle family for 2011-2012!

Hi! My name is Staten Vickers and I am 12 years old. Before I was born, the doctors told my family that I had severe brain damage and I may never walk, talk or function normally. I was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and nasal encephalocelle. My family knew I was a Miracle Child. I had multiple brain surgeries before I was one year old but my development progressed and slowly I learned to walk, talk and I became a very smart boy. When I started having seizures the medication controlled them but made me very sleepy and was affecting my quality of life. As I grew I was placed on more seizure medication and they were not controlling the seizures. My family decided it was time to search other options and on January 24, 2008, I had a hemisphrectomy where they separated the right and left sides of my brain to stop the seizures. After the surgery I was left with right hemiparesis and some vision problems. I had to start over and relearn everything including walking and talking.  When I was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for rehab, not only did I progress quickly because all of the staff was unbelievable, but I made so many life-long friends.  My family and I will always be grateful to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for their hard work and dedication with helping Miracle Kids like me! This picture of me was the day I graduated from CHOA day rehab.  Iwas sealed by Mrs. Loretta (rehab nurse) with kisses to make me “USDA 100% Day Rehab APPROVED!!!” We are thankful to have Staten apart of our UGA Miracle family, and we are so excited for his involvement in 2011-2012!

Sarah was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma brain tumor in September 2009. She tried various medications to control the seizures for six months but finally had it removed March 19, 2010. Sarah had two brain surgeries in seven days to remove a cancerous brain tumor. The surgeries were successful.Sarah is 17. She is a junior at North Gwinnett High School. She is a softball umpire, great student and a rock and roll musician. Her first instrument is drums. She has been playing drums since she was about 13 and her favorite bands are The Who, Rush, Styx and Heart. Through her illness she has actually become good friends with Roger Daltrey, the lead singer for The Who.

We are so thankful to have Sarah and her family apart of our UGA Miracle family, and we look forward to their involvement in 2011-2012!

Kristen was a perfectly healthy child who barely ever got sick. In March of 2007 she was diagnosed with leukemia. This meant that for 27 months she would have to endure chemotherapy everyday. Many days and nights were spent in the hospital during this time. The first eight months of treatment were the most difficult. Some of the medicines caused her hair to fall out but it came back even prettier than before.She was very brave throughout the entire journey and is perfectly healthy today. She is seven years old and in the 2nd grade. She loves to sing, dance, tumble and cheer. We are very proud of her and grateful for her health. We cannot wait for Kristen and her family to be apart of our UGA Miracle family in 2011-2012!

The rollercoaster ride began in July of 2007 when my youngest daughter was just 8 years old. Lindsay got sick with a very common sinus infection which did not go away with antibiotics. Instead she became sicker and sicker. After many trips to her pediatrician who could not figure out what was wrong with her we changed doctors. Lindsay started having unexplained pains in her knee and then trouble breathing. After an x-ray it was then determined that she had pneumonia. My sweet baby was just so sick with constant fevers and pain. She started feeling better by the beginning of August and had a CT scan scheduled for Aug. 9th to make sure the pneumonia was gone. The pictures showed a mass that remained in her lung. We were instructed to go down to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite immediately. After a blood test, MRI, and bone marrow aspiration she was diagnosed on Aug. 10th with ALL- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The following Monday a port was placed and chemo began. She had so many tests ,blood draws, shots in her legs, and hundreds of pills. Through it all Lindsay remained strong. Even with side effects such as AVN which caused her excruciating pain she was so brave. She told me that the doctors and nurses at the AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service at Scottish Rite were like a second family to her. Even though the cancer is gone she still has to be monitored closely and actually looks forward to her trips to the clinic to see her favorite staff members. A big thank you to every one at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for taking such good care of my baby. We are extremely lucky to have such an amazing hospital so close to us. We are so blessed to have Lindsay and her family as apart of our UGA Miracle family, and we can’t wait to have them back in 2011-2012!


View Lindsay's Story Here
http://www.11alive.com/video/1145014435001/0/Faces-of-Childhood-Cancer-Lindsay-Simmons

Leanne suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury from a car wreck when she was 15.  She was air flighted to Atlanta Medical First where she was in a coma for almost three weeks.  When she started waking up, the neurologist predicted she would be totally dependent and unable to communicate.  Leanne was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where she stayed and received therapy for three months. After that she went to therapy and Children’s Day Rehab for another three months.  She relearned how to swallow, eat, drink without choking, hold her head up, dress herself and walk again.  She continued physical, occupational and speech therapy on an outpatient basis for the next four years. They are the reason she is doing so well today. We are so thankful that Leanne and her family are apart of our UGA Miracle family, and we can’t wait for their involvement in 2011-2012!

Tanner Louis Schroer was born with Tetrology of Fallot (TOF for short) on June 5th, 2001. When he was nine months old, he underwent Open Heart Surgery. Thanks to the American Heart Association and special doctors like Gregory Johnson, Vincent Tam, Richard Rosemond and all the special people at Egleston Hospital, he is here today. Not too many years ago, kids born with my same condition were not as fortunate as him. He is ten now and he’s just as healthy and happy as his twin brother, Tucker! Tanner and his family are from Athens, Georgia, and we are so blessed to have them apart of our UGA Miracle family!