Our top "In The Moment" stories for 2018 : Inside Children's Blog

At Akron Children’s Hospital, one of our resolutions for 2019 is to do everything possible to ensure there are many more memorable moments for the children and families. Below are our top “In the Moment” posts from 2018. We invite you to take a glance at those you may have missed, or a second peek at those you’ve already enjoyed.

1. Although these teens had cancer in common, it was not center stage on that night. They enjoyed an all-expense paid evening at A Prom to Remember OHIO.

9-year-cancer survivor Brian Ricer, 18, of Orville, is attending his first Prom to Remember with date McCartney Sorg, 17 of Norwayne.

2. Baby’s first Halloween! All 57 families in our Akron neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) had a fun “reverse trick-or-treat” when staff visited rooms with treats and handmade costumes for all.

Twin sisters Harper and Haiden were the sweetest strawberries in the patch.

3. Baby’s first Christmas! Santa made the holiday season much brighter for 63 families and their precious babies in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

At almost 6 weeks old, twins Ben and Jake had a lot to tell Santa. They have been very good for their daddy and mommy, Jeff and Kelly Musick.

4. After countless treatments and trips to Akron Children’s throughout the past year, Thursday was full of good surprises at the hospital. Hallie Auth’s caregivers sang to her in the exam room and presented a cake, card, and Bravery Award for her to take home. Then, on her way out of the hematology/oncology clinic, more than 20 staff members showered her with ribbons, high fives, hugs and best wishes.

hallie auth chemotherapy cancer showers family center celebration

No more chemo… Let’s celebrate with 16-year-old Hallie Auth!

5. Our windows are “super” clean, thanks to the super hero window washers from American National Skyline, Inc. who returned for their annual visit. Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Iron Man, Captain America and Wolverine brightened our windows and the day for our patients, their families and our staff!

With the swipe of a squeegee, the mild-mannered window washers turned into Superman, Batman, Iron Man, Wolverine, Spider-Man and Captain America.

6. As campers arrive by boat, fire hoses are rolled out from 25+ regional fire trucks for Fire Truck Day at ACBC Burn Camp.

The fire trucks line up in the parking lot at Portage Lakes State Park to create a GIANT splash & foam party for 13 of our burn patients.

7. Imagine breaking 32+ bones at once. Sadly, that happened to 17-year-old Rybecca in a car crash, but the heroic actions of off-duty officer Tye Lauener of the City of Alliance Police Department saved her life.

accident broken bones Tye Lauener Rybecca Rennie alliance police

During a head-on car crash in her Pontiac Sunfire, Rybecca broke both legs, ankles, feet, hips, 9 ribs, as well as sternum, right arm, femur, back, left wrist, and also suffered a collapsed lung.

8. 12-year-old Mason Morris was burned over more than 80% of his body on July 11. Three months later, he was well enough to go home. 100+ family and friends from Manchester Middle School came in matching shirts to witness it!

Mason morris burn unit masonstrong manchester burns fire

Mason Morris slaps high fives with some of the 100 or so friends and families that wished him well as he went home.

9. It only took a moment for Ashlyn Bosley to stumble into a still-cooling fire pit, but the recovery took weeks of therapy, with 5 skin grafts along the way.

Ashlyn bosley burns fire pit skin grafts burn unit

Ashlyn’s recovered well, but her mom, Jamie, shared her cautionary during the summer of 2018.

10. 4-year-old Kaleia finishes 2.5 years of chemotherapy for leukemia!

Kaleia prances through the friends, family and staff gathered to celebrate the end of her chemotherapy.

11. Miniature therapy horse “Willie Nelson” took the reins from Petie the Pony and began visiting patients at Akron Children’s.

willie nelson miniature horse victory gallop therapy horse

“Willie Nelson,” a therapy pony from Victory Gallop, visited our patients for the first time!

12. We mourned the loss of another pioneering pediatrician – Dr. Robert Stone.

Dr. Robert Stone’s 55-year legacy touched nearly every area of Akron Children’s.

13. We encouraged families who knew a child with a chronic illness or cancer (and their siblings) to sign them up for the Valentine’s Project. Each child received a special package on Valentine’s Day.

valentine project unkefer family valentine's day

The Unkefer family participated in the Valentine Project for the third year, including Benjamin, 14, Rebecca, 13, Elizabeth, 10, and Abigail, 6.

14. Born with a cleft lip and palate, heart defects and respiratory failure, Tailyn spent her first 222 days in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). But after more than 20 surgeries, a tracheotomy and a vent, she proudly left home for her first day of kindergarten with all of the other kids her age.

Tailyn Dailey cleft lip cleft palate reconstructive surgery plastic surgery kindergarten

Here’s a girl with some giddy up! When 6-year-old Tailyn Dailey says she’s going to be a “horse trainer” when she grows up, we believe her.

15. Not so long ago in a galaxy we call home, Zachary and Elijah Kitzberger received Star Wars-themed R2-D2 and BB-8 cranial remodeling helmets to treat their positional plagiocephaly.

positional plagiocephaly remodeling helmets star wars r2-d2 bb-8

The force applied by these helmets were with Zachary and Elijah for 3-4 months, but the benefits will last a lifetime.

16. It was an exciting day for the Perry family. Their twins Emma Grace & Eli were finally making the long drive home to family in Florida! They were born 8 weeks early in Akron while escaping Hurricane Irma then spent 100+ days in our NICU.

neurosurgery gwen hughes hurricane irma emma eli florida

Neurosurgeon Dr. Gwen Hughes (left, holding Emma), says goodbye to her and brother Eli.

17. Meet 83-year-old Cathy Stenger (left) and 101-year-old Rose Carlson! Both are very dedicated hospital volunteers.

These dedicated volunteers were spotlighted on cleveland.com. They shared what it’s like to give back at Akron Children’s.

18. Landry Cole isn’t letting a brain tumor, stroke and seizures get in her way! The 17 year old took a big step and went home after spending several weeks in inpatient rehabilitation at Akron Children’s.

landry cole physical therapy brain tumor strokes seizures inpatient

Once Landry heard her father’s voice during physical therapy, she found the strength to take on the stairs! After making it up, she took a brief pause before making her way down.

19. We asked you to give a shout out to your favorite doctor for National Doctors’ Day! We feel very privileged they choose to care for our patients.