Stories
3-D Simulation Before Difficult Surgery Helps Erin Breathe on Her Own
Dr. Kaalan Johnson and his team use revolutionary 3-D modeling to prepare for a difficult surgery.
Makenzie Dances Again After Pediatric Stroke
With hard work and determination, Makenzie Childs, 6, has returned to doing what she loves most – competitive dance – following a stroke in October 2017.
Helping Teens Manage Chronic Migraines
Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to teach patients (and their parents) thoughts and behaviors that reduce pain and disability.
Improving the Quality of Life for Survivors of Childhood Cancer
When Natalie Smith was diagnosed with leukemia at age 6, it took eight rounds of chemotherapy to wipe out her cancer. Then, two years later, it struck again.
Improving Treatment for Childhood Concussions
Somewhere between 85% and 90% of kids who suffer concussions will see their symptoms go away within a couple of weeks. But the other 10% to 15% will experience headaches, memory problems or other symptoms for much longer.
Making a Difference for Kids With Scleroderma
McCoy Penland of Boise, Idaho, was just 4 when her behavior suddenly changed. Typically vibrant and engaging, she became tired and emotional, but it wasn’t clear why.
Making Sure Treatments for Kids Are Safe
Many drugs and treatments are made for – and tested on – adults. We’re making sure they’re as safe as possible for kids.
Matters of the Heart
Dramatic innovations in cardiac catheterization mean fewer conditions require open-heart surgery. Seattle Children's interventional cardiologists are helping show the way.
Nurses Take the Lead
Nurses are finding ways to make our care even better, from improved ICU treatments to a revamped discharge process.
Picturing the Future of Epilepsy Care
The encouraging news is that doctors are constantly improving epilepsy treatment while collecting new clues about the causes for the disease.
Seattle Children's Hospital Providers Transplant Hope to One 3-Year-Old Patient
For more than three years, Destiny Smith’s routine consisted of daily intravenous nutrition, frequent trips to Seattle Children’s Hospital, about a dozen surgeries and a waiting game on the transplant list.
Helping Kids With Cystic Fibrosis
No one appreciates the perseverance behind medical research more than Kari Foss, a member of Kentwood High School's volleyball team, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at age 2.
Revolutionary New Surgery for Complex Craniosynostosis
A revolutionary new surgery changes the picture for children with Apert syndrome.
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Helps Kids With Cerebral Palsy Gain Mobility and Independence
Seattle Children’s has the right mix of expertise to offer kids with spastic cerebral palsy a path toward independence.
The Race Is On
Raising awareness about hydrocephalus – and money to support research at Seattle Children’s – is the goal of the Hydrocephalus Research Guild.
Nimble, Flexible, Responsive
Seattle Children’s collaborates with peers close to home and across the U.S. to solve puzzles presented by COVID-19.
Matters of the Mind
A transformative gift is creating a new home for the Autism Center – and sparking a broader vision for behavioral health.
Redefining Mental Health: A conversation with Suzanne Petersen about revolutionizing pediatric mental health
Suzanne Petersen, vice president for External Affairs and Guest Services, is leading Seattle Children's strategic initiative to improve the mental and emotional health of young people in our region.
Milton Wright Finds His Way Back 'Home'
Milton Wright's childhood unfolded within Seattle Children's walls – making friends, experiencing loss and facing death more times than he can count. Today, Wright is back at Seattle Children's – not as a patient, but as an employee and a symbol of hope.
Changing the Trajectory
An intensive program gives young kids who are significantly impacted by autism the skills they need to engage with life.
Big Data, Better Results
We’re developing unique ways to protect kids from secondary health challenges associated with a stay in the ICU.
All In Against Leukemia
Our High-Risk Leukemia Program leaves no stone unturned to help hard-to-treat kids win a race against time.
A Cure for Hepatitis C
Research led by Dr. Karen Murray opens the door for children to use a game-changing treatment originally developed for adults.
Low-Tech Fix to Deadly Issue
Complementary expertise of three Seattle organizations creates a feeding device that could save infants in low-resource areas.
New Insights on Craniosynostosis
Seattle Children's researchers found that the mild to moderate developmental delays that can accompany the most common type of craniosynostosis can be overcome.
Can the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Traditional medicine says what you eat doesn’t affect disease. But we’re proving that a diet can stop a lifelong disorder.
Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Records Seizures, Provides Families a Path Forward
Our epilepsy monitoring unit records seizures as they occur to pinpoint their source.
Better Concussion Care
A strategic gift brings together the expertise needed to better understand, prevent and treat concussions in kids and teens.
Taking a Stand for Health
Creating the healthiest generation yet means tackling the nonmedical factors that make kids from low-income backgrounds sick.
Neuroblastoma Research Brings Hope
Our researchers are helping more kids beat one of the deadliest pediatric cancers, giving new hope to patients nationwide.
Lighting Up Brain Tumor Tissue
People like you help turn a gee-whiz idea into a tool that promises to improve surgical outcomes for kids with brain tumors.
Donors Propel Efforts to Develop Gene Therapy and Immunotherapy
We’re inserting new genetic instructions into cells to develop therapies that could cure diseases once and for all.
You Are Bigger Than Your Disease
Ethan Roberts was diagnosed with Crohn's disease just before school began. Fortunately, psychologist Dr. Carin Cunningham was on his team, ready to help him see that his life is bigger than his disease.
Making Heart Transplants Possible for More Children
Our Heart Center is pushing the envelope with techniques that make heart transplants available to more children.
MAGEC Means Less Surgery for Kids With Severe Scoliosis
Surgeons at Seattle Children’s helped introduce a technology that reduces surgeries for kids with severe scoliosis – and improves their lives.
Super Glue Makes Removing Venous Malformations Easier and Less Risky
We pioneered a way to get rid of painful, disfiguring veins with less risk and almost no recurrence – using super glue.
Bioethicists Unravel Thorny Issues
As medicine pushes the boundaries of what can be done, Seattle Children’s bioethicists ask what is the best thing to do.
Guild Members’ Passion Boost Programs for Patients
Fundraising guilds boost Seattle Children’s bottom line through fun, friendships and feel-good events.
Helping Kids From All Backgrounds Thrive
We look at the whole picture – medical and nonmedical – to help kids from low-income and ethnically diverse families thrive.
Clinical Research Bridges New Ideas to Advances in Care
On the journey to better treatments, clinical research studies are the bridge between new ideas and proven advances in care.
Poetry’s Healing Power
Our writing programs use professional poets to help families and staff give voice to their experience, find strength and heal.
Parents Are Key to Overcoming Behavioral Health Issues
Improving the lives of kids facing mental health issues – and their families – are key at Seattle Children’s.
Repairing Heart Defects Without Surgery
We are pioneering ways to use catheters to repair complex heart problems, reduce complications and help kids recover faster.
Helping Athletes With Disabilities Get Back in the Game
When injuries bench kids with disabilities, a specialized team of physical therapists helps them get back in the game.
Early Detection of SCID Saves Lives
We brought a newborn screening test to Washington to catch arare disorder when babies are still healthy enough to be cured.
Makenzie Dances Again After Pediatric Stroke
With hard work and determination, Makenzie Childs, 6, has returned to doing what she loves most – competitive dance – following a stroke in October 2017.