Chase Cory
Finding Strength, Support and a Smile That Shines Tara and Michael of Glen Carbon, IL, were the proud parents of two boys when they learned they were expecting Baby #3. At their 20-week anatomy scan in December 2022—just before Christmas—they were told their son might have a cleft lip and a hole in his heart.…
Juliana Steger
Juliana from South St. Louis County, MO is a sweet and cuddly 6 year old. She loves animals, music, books, waffles, pancakes, dinosaurs, deer, baby dolls and big trucks. She loves her two sisters, her mom and her biggest love is probably her daddy. She has been through more in her 5 years of life…
Ambrea Doll
“My name is Ambrea, and I am cancer free.” These were the words spoken by 14-year-old survivor, Ambrea, as she confidently completed her solo dance performance to the song, “I’ll never surrender” – by Shangrii-La. This day, March 10, 2024, marks nearly one year following her life-threatening diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “It’s pure joy to…
Makayla Cross
When Cheri and Terrion Cross left San Diego in 2016 to come to St. Louis, Missouri, they had been married for two years trying to have children. A blended family, Cheri and Terrion were already parents to teenagers, Elijah and Trinity, but they had hoped for more children to add to their happy home. Cheri…
Easton Specht
“My pregnancy was completely normal. I had just had my 30 week ultrasound, where my doctor welcomed me to the third trimester and told me that I was doing great,” Kassie reflected. “Shortly after that, I unexpectedly started spotting”, Kassie said, “Ty and I went to the hospital (SSM Health St. Joseph’s West) and the…
Walker Lydick
When Gretchen learned her unborn son had Down syndrome, she was shocked and scared. Would she love this baby? Would his big brothers accept him? Would he even survive? As a young mom, she wasn’t sure she was equipped to care for him properly, but committed herself to giving him the best life possible —…
Lavender Watson
Rose and Demetrius Watson of St. Louis, MO were given grim odds about the survival of their unborn baby, Lavender. However, this now sassy 5-year-old, known as “The Queen”, has been proving predictions wrong every step of the way. “Incompatible with life.” “Chromosomal abnormality”. “Might not survive long after birth”. These were words that Rose…
Sariah Gettys
On February 14, 2018, Sariah (a 4-year-old aspiring dancer and model) and her mother, Shamika, were involved in a devastating motor vehicle accident. Shamika sustained injuries to her right leg which required multiple surgeries in the months to follow. Sariah ’s injuries were much worse, and almost unfathomable. She was in pulseless cardiac arrest at…
Teagan Smith
Looking at 7-year-old Teagan Smith today, one would never know what she went through during her first several months of life. “I had a completely normal pregnancy,” states Teagan’s mom, Alex. “I had a total of three ultrasounds and was told everything looked perfect. Oddly though, my whole pregnancy, I just had this crazy feeling…
Aidan Milner
Baby Aidan was born at 23 weeks gestation at St. Anthony’s Medical Center. It was an unexpected and unanticipated early arrival. After a few short days, Aidan was transferred to the NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. He spent the next 70 days there, with what mother, Carla recalls as “so many ups…