When McKenzie Costain’s family first shared her story in June 2025, they were in the thick of managing daily symptoms from a chronic bowel condition. This included daily rectal enemas to cope with chronic constipation. Today, life looks very different. In July 2025, McKenzie, age 9, underwent a surgical option called the Malone procedure. […]
Patient Stories
Shockwave therapy offers new hope for patients with chronic pain and sports injuries
For patients sidelined by stubborn tendon or muscle pain, Akron Children’s now offers a promising new path to relief. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), commonly known as shockwave therapy, is now available through Dr. Derrick Eddy, director of Sports Medicine. “ESWT is a noninvasive treatment that uses sound waves to help the body heal itself,” explained […]
Akron family is rooted in city history, service and Charity Ball legacy
Christine Woodburn remembers her first view of an Akron Children’s Charity Ball at Goodyear Hall. She was too young to attend the dinner and dance, in which her cousins were being presented as debutantes. But those long, twinkling lights dangling from the ceiling left a lasting impression. “That’s my visual,” she recalled. “We were too […]
Beth Cardina: A heart for helping others
Beth Cardina, licensed social worker, received the “Trailblazer” award at the Oct. 1 Akron Children’s More childhood, please.™ Awards event. Not only has Beth’s heart for helping people guided her through a 40-year career in child welfare – but it’s helping her honor her son’s memory. Beth’s beginnings When she was in elementary school, an […]
Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) transforms testing for gastroenterology patients
Jackson Mead of North Canton, age 16, is on his high school robotics team and loves to figure out how things work. When he became the first Akron Children’s patient to undergo the TNE procedure, which doesn’t require anesthesia like a traditional “upper endoscopy,” he excitedly asked a lot of questions. Stomach issues start Jackson […]
Woman shares how childhood cancer led to career helping kids
If you saw 25-year-old Molly Norris today, you’d never guess she’s been fighting serious health challenges since she was a toddler. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at age 2, a biologic medication finally gave her relief. But in 2010, when she was in 5th grade, her health again took a turn for the worse. […]
