From the moment her father told her she’d make a great nurse, an 8-year-old Marjorie Billock knew her career path was set. Now 28 years into a distinguished nursing career, Marjorie has cared for patients all over the country, following her husband’s Navy career. In 2024, she brought her wealth of experience to Akron Children’s […]
Cross country runner finds way to manage her allergic symptoms to the cold
Most summers while growing up, Evelyn Caldwell, age 17, enjoyed going to the beach with her family. They always had a good time visiting the North Carolina seashore. But when she was 12, something strange happened. While swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, Evelyn broke out in hives. “I was in the water up to my […]
Teenager discovers she is “allergic to the cold”
This winter, Gabby Conrow, 17, isn’t quite sure what to expect when the weather turns cold and snowy. In August, 2023, Gabby was diagnosed with cold urticaria, a rare medical condition that causes her to develop a painful, itchy rash when she is exposed to the cold. “Being out in the cold is one of […]
Managing peanut allergy with oral immunotherapy improves Hudson boy’s quality of life
Ever since Harrison Huntington, age 7 of Hudson, Ohio, was diagnosed with a peanut allergy, his parents hoped for a way to lessen the severity of his allergic reactions. Their hope became a reality when an oral immunotherapy (OIT) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. “We knew we wanted […]
Good things keep happening for So Ma Ya
When we last shared her story, So Ma was a recent North High School graduate and working part-time as a greeter/COVID-19 screener at Akron Children’s. Today, she has her associate’s degree from Stark State College and is working full-time as a medical assistant in Akron Children’s Allergy and Immunology Department. She will take her test […]
Canfield student can now breathe easier
Ellie Horvat, 12, couldn’t catch her breath, even while doing simple activities, like climbing stairs. It started after she contracted COVID-19 in November 2021. COVID can cause trouble breathing, which concerned Ellie and her mom, Sherri Horvat. “We worried that Ellie might have lingering effects from COVID because, months later, she still complained about shortness […]
