On June 29th, three days after her 17th birthday, Bronte Wright lost control of her car and spun sideways into a tree. The impact pushed her seat sideways, and in front of the passenger seat. The crash broke her pelvis and the deceleration caused multiple brain injuries. Paramedics immediately realized the severity of these injuries and sent Bronte by helicopter to Atlanta Medical Center. For 23 days Bronte lay in intensive care in a coma, unresponsive except on rare occasions and unable to move her left side. She fought lung infection and suffered the effects of neural storming, when her brain caused inappropriate movements, heart racing and high fever.Once stable enough, Bronte was evaluated and accepted to the Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU) at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Scottish Rite campus. At this time she was unable to hold her head upright, had little movement on the left side and very limited range of motion as a result of laying in bed for so long. She did not respond to commands or show any interaction with her surroundings. As parents we could not see what could be done to bring back the Bronte we knew, we had been told that recovery from traumatic brain injury is slow and that Bronte would recover, but with ‘deficits’, which could range from mild to severe.The CIRU staff had a plan in place before we ever arrived, Bronte was tested, evaluated fitted for a wheelchair and began rehab immediately. We were taught how to care for her, move her and even administer injections. Her medications were altered with the focus moving from comfort to activity. The first few days were a flurry of activity, we moved from an ICU atmosphere with limited access to a state of the art facility where family are encouraged to stay in the patient room and participate in care-giving and therapy. For six hours a day, seven days a week Bronte was in therapy, occupational, speech and physical. In addition there were therapeutic group sessions with other teenagers, playing games, listening to music and just hanging out discussing injuries. In the three and a half weeks Bronte was in the CIRU she went from a gastric feeding tube to eating real food, from the bed to a walker, from unresponsive to Facebook. The progress was unbelievable.During a hospital visit last summer, ugaMiracle Exec visited Bronte just a few days after her accident. When Bronte came to Family Day in November, Exec could not BELIEVE the miraculous recovery that Bronte had made since her accident. It was incredible to see her progress, and we are so blessed to have her apart of our UGA Miracle family for 2011-2012!

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!

When Ashley was very young, about 1 1/2 years old, we found out something was not right with her. Ashley kept getting recurring high fevers and kidney infections. We found out that Ashley had two ureters from her kidney to her bladder. We would later come to find out this was called kidney reflux. The urine would go from the kidney to the bladder and return via the other track back to her kidney causing an infection. We also found out that this defect is a genetic anomaly associated with red haired female children. Ashley’s doctor hoped that as she grew, the ureters would grow longer and stop backing up. The first couple of years there was improvement with Ashley taking a daily prophylactic antibiotic to prevent infection, but then things stopped improving, so surgery was recommended. Each year there was an invasive procedure done where they’d shoot water into her bladder completely filling it up to test the functioning of her bladder and kidneys while Ashley was awake. This used to be painful and quite frightening for her. After the last test when Ashley was five, she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said “Daddy, please don’t let them do that again!” As a father, that’s all I needed to hear, and without things improving, we decided to have the surgery. The surgery was done the summer after kindergarten. The recovery in Scottish Rite was about two weeks time. The thing I remember most about her time at Scottish Rite, is that after her surgery I took her down to the playground in a wheel chair. The playground was in the center of the building outside and surrounded by rooms. The playground was eerily quiet! No one else was there, only Ashley and I. She desperately wanted to go down the monkey bars, but was unable to because of the surgery. I wheeled her under the bars and told her to put her hands up, and we pretended to have her moving down the bars. It was a moment I’ll never forget, she and I bonding as one and figuring out a way to give her what she wanted and was able to do with her surgery. I also remember how amazing the staff at the hospital was—always there with a comforting word or smile, making us feel that everything was going to be fine. Due to the surgery and God’s healing, Ashley has made a full recovery and has no restrictions or limitations with her health. We are so excited to welcome Ashley into our UGA Miracle family for 2011-2012!

When Tyler was only 9 days old, he had to be life-flighted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta after doctors realized Tyler had been born with Congenital Heart Disease that had gone undiagnosed at birth. His oxygen levels were at 52% and he needed emergency open heart surgery. He was born with very serious heart defects and it is a miracle that he even lived all those days without his heart failing. He had his second open heart surgery before his first birthday. Today, he is doing well, and although he will need more surgery in the future to repair his heart, we are so grateful  to all the doctors and nurses and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Sibley Heart Center for giving our son a chance to live his life. He was born with only half of a heart, but he lives life to the fullest! We are so thankful to have Tyler and his family apart of our UGA Miracle family, and we’re excited for their 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!

Abigail Grace Smith (aka Abby) has been battling cancer for more than two-thirds of her life.  In mid February 2006, Abby developed balance issues which were not allowing her to walk without falling.  On March 3, 2006, Abby was diagnosed with a golf ball size medulloblastoma brain tumor at the age of 23 months old.  She had a successful total tumor resection on March 6, 2006.  


Unfortunately, Abby developed posterior fossa syndrome within days after surgery which caused her to lose most of her gross and fine motor skill capability for a period of time.  Abby initially underwent four cycles of chemotherapy, 30 days of radiation and then eight maintenance cycles of chemotherapy.  She completed her treatment in late May, 2007.  Abby began thriving and improving and was a picture of health.  After a routine follow-up head and spine MRI on September 28, 2007, Abby was diagnosed with drop metastases in her spine in multiple places.  She had exhibited no symptoms.  All of Abby’s MRI’s and spinal taps had been clear to date with no evidence of cancer since March 6, 2006. 

From October 2007-March 2008, Abby endured three cycles of high dose ICE chemotherapy and a cord blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant. Abby went on to receive 25 cranial/spinal proton beam radiation treatments during late May/June 2008.  She completed her relapse treatment on June 30, 2008. Only two small places remained on Abby’s spine which continued to improve or stay stable.  For eleven months, Abby was on a 14 day cycle drug maintenance therapy.  She continued to get stronger and thrive during this time.  On June 23, 2009, fifty one weeks post relapse treatment, Abby had a routine follow-up MRI.  Her scan revealed a grape size tumor in her head and haziness in her spine.  Two inconclusive spinal taps raised further concern.  Again, Abby had exhibited no symptoms.  To battle this second relapse, Abby began a daily metronomic chemotherapy regimen administered at home on July 20, 2009 which continues through today.  Her most recent MRI on July 2, 2010 shows that this treatment is working.  

There is no white tumor visible in her brain and spine.  There is only slight shadowing in the area of her brain where there was definitive tumor a year ago.  The top of her spine was deemed to have “no evidence of disease” and the residual area in the bottom part of her spine is less definitive and seems to be dissipating.  As a  result of all of the above, Abby has speech and processing delays, has suffered permanent hearing loss and is physically impaired with her balance issues and inability to consistently walk unassisted. Yet, Abby’s determined and fighting spirit pushes her forward each day.  She is our miracle girl!! Since Abby’s cancer diagnosis, she has lived out the meaning of her middle name.  

Abby is one of God’s special children and has faced all of her hospitalizations, treatments and pricks and prods with such grace that can only come from above.  Her big blue green eyes and her beautiful heartwarming smile connect you to her immediately. She enjoys playing with her baby dolls, her kitchen, pop beads, sticker books, painting, arts and crafts, books, and board and card games.  She is a girly girl from head to toe, loving the color pink, hair accessories, jewelry and painted nails.  She loves her family with the most sincere affection and is happiest when we are all with her.  Abby’s proudest recent accomplishment was losing her first tooth!  This was her first age appropriate development since diagnosis!  Way to go, Abby!!  

Our Christian faith has been our stronghold throughout our journey with Abby, and we thank God for His provision for Abby and our family these past four years.  We continue to pray for complete and total healing and recovery for our Abby.
Thank you for helping find a CURE for Abby and the countless other children affected by this terrible disease!


On August 17th, 2011 Abby lost her battle with cancer.  Please keep her and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Service information is available here.

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!