Stories From the 27th Annual WKLH Miracle Marathon Presented by Mars Family Foundation

May 15-16, 2025

The WKLH Miracle Marathon benefiting Children’s Wisconsin is a cherished tradition featuring the brave kids and families cared for by Children’s Wisconsin as they share their stories of hope and healing.

This two-day radiothon raises critical funds for Children’s Wisconsin and is broadcast live on 96.5 WKLH and wklh.com. Every dollar you donate during the WKLH Miracle Marathon supports the physical, dental, social and mental well-being of kids in our community.

Below, you’ll find some of the stories that were shared during this year’s Miracle Marathon. These stories touched our hearts, brought us laughter and tears, and inspired us to continue doing all we can to help the kids of Wisconsin be the healthiest in the nation. You can find all the remarkable stories shared during the 27th annual WKLH Miracle Marathon here.

Day at Childrens

A Day at Children's Wisconsin

Dr. David Gourlay, Surgeon-in-Chief here at Children’s Wisconsin, shares how, on any given day, Children’s is making a difference for the kids in our community.

Abby Stanek

With support from Children's Wisconsin, Abby and her family have learned to manage her food allergies and become advocates for other kids facing similar health journeys.

Aidan Matejov

A visit to the ER for appendicitis revealed a life-changing diagnosis: Aidan had thyroid cancer. His care team at Children's Wisconsin provided support every step of the way.

Audrey Jenkins

When Audrey received a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Children’s Wisconsin was there for every step of the journey, empowering Audrey to know that diabetes wasn’t going to stop her!

Blake Baker

What started as a normal day for Blake quickly turned into a call from the school nurse, followed by a trip to the EDTC at Children's Wisconsin and, finally, emergency brain surgery.

Camden Siekert

After being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at birth, Camden received life-saving treatment from Children's Wisconsin thanks to cutting-edge gene replacement therapy.

Caroline Archibald

Caroline's Story

Caroline is a superstar with Down Syndrome who receives care through Children's Complex Care Program and still finds time to be one of Children's tiniest advocates!

E-learning Center

Children's E-Learning Center

The Children’s Wisconsin E-Learning Center works with schools to help support kids’ physical, social and mental health. Your support makes these programs available at no cost.

Corbin Simon

Corbin was born with a condition that restricted his airway but didn't stop him from loving Blippi. After his passing, his family keeps his memory shining brightly by giving back.

Eva Romanova

When Eva was 4, she was diagnosed with leukemia and admitted to Children's, where art therapy helped to boost her spirits while she bravely fought through treatment.

Evelynn Blazei

Evelynn's Story

Energetic little Evelyn has a pediatric feeding disorder and sees various specialists at Children's Wisconsin who are helping her to grow up healthy and strong.

Firearm injuries

Firearm Injuries: Reducing Risk

At Children’s Wisconsin, we work to protect kids from harm, including gun violence. Bridget Clementi and Dr. Flynn O’Brien discuss how we support families impacted by this violence.

Frank and Leo Gonzalez

Frank and Leo's Story

Frank and Leo were born at just 21 weeks. These little fighters were transferred to Children's Wisconsin for heart surgery and to continue growing stronger in the Level IV NICU.

Hadley Maas

While Hadley's life was far too short, she was a fierce little fighter who continues to leave her impact on the MACC Fund Center at Children's Wisconsin.

Hanni family

The Hanni Family's Story

The Hanni's journey with Children's Wisconsin started with their twins' NICU stay. As their three kids have grown, they've consistently relied on Children's for the best care.

Hazel Quandt

After a scan showed a massive brain bleed, Hazel was rushed to Children's Wisconsin for life-saving surgery. Now, she is recovering with the support of Children's AIRS program.

Herma Heart

The Herma Heart Institute

Dr. Robert Jaquiss shares how precision medicine is changing the future of care at Children's nationally recognized Herma Heart Institute, leading to more effective and safer care.

Kaylee Meyer

Kaylee’s journey at Children’s Wisconsin started at just 9 months old, but she made history when she was likely the youngest person to undergo an awake craniotomy in the U.S.

Ryder Kintigh

The Kintigh Family's Story

The Kintighs have had two children diagnosed with congenital heart conditions: Zoey, who sadly passed away at 36 days old, and Ryder, who is doing well with care from Children's.

Koko Walny

Meet Koko, a competitive ice skater who competes on Team USA. With the help of the Asthma Plus program at Children's Wisconsin, she doesn't let her asthma hold her back.

Kole Duernberger

After spending the first years of his life in and out of Children's Wisconsin, Kole received a life-changing liver transplant that allowed him to get back to just being a kid!

Langill family Foster Care

The Langill Family's Story

The Langills are incredible foster parents with Children's Wisconsin who have helped kids reunite with their families, and grown their own family by adopting Nova and Karlo.

Leland Barnett

Although Leland lives in Alabama, her family decided to come to Wisconsin for Children's nation-leading expertise in bone marrow transplants to treat aplastic anemia.

Lilly Jahr

What began as a visit home from college turned into a trip to the Children's Emergency Department, where specialists raced to uncover the mystery of Lily's declining health.

Margarita and Leorymar

Margarita & Leorymar's Story

When Margarita was pregnant, she connected with the Healthy Families Home Visiting Program to prepare for the arrival of her daughter, Leorymar. Mom and baby are doing great!

Maria Mangiardi

Maria’s family chose Children’s for her complex needs, and when the beautiful little girl lost her battle, Children’s was there to support her family through unimaginable loss.

Mark Oetlinger

When Mark was 4 years old, he contracted a virus and was critically ill with sepsis. He spent 31 days at Children's Wisconsin, and recovery was nothing short of a miracle.

Mary Schroeder

Mary is undergoing a two-and-a-half-year treatment plan as she battles leukemia in the MACC Fund Center, but this little prankster continues to sparkle!

Mike and Mary

Mike & Mary's Story

Mike and Mary are an incredible duo of friends who have collectively accumulated 12 years and more than 1,000 hours of service to Children's Wisconsin.

Miles Jahr

Miles is an incredible advocate for mental health who receives support at his high school through the School-Based Mental Health Program provided by Children's Wisconsin.

Naomi McFarlane

Naomi M.'s Story

At age 2, Naomi faced intense treatment after a cancer diagnosis. Today, thanks to Go Baby Go! through Children's Wisconsin, Naomi zips around her neighborhood in her Barbie Jeep.

Naomi Wall

Naomi W.'s Story

Naomi, diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at birth, has undergone over 20 surgeries and ICU stays, supported throughout it all by her care team at Children's Wisconsin.

Gil - One Team

One Team at Children's

Gil Peri, President and CEO of Children’s Wisconsin, highlights the importance of community support in advancing the physical, dental, social and mental well-being of kids and families.

Jenny and Otis

Otis & Jenny's Story

Who's a good boy? It's Otis, the pet therapy dog who visits Children's Wisconsin twice each month with his human Jenny, bringing smiles and snuggles to all he visits.

Paris Lee

After experiencing violence at school, Paris came into Children's EDTC and was introduced to Project Ujima, a program at Children's that works to stop the cycle of violent crimes.

Patient Family Support

Patient Family Support

Megan Struve, Director of Patient Family Amenities and Support, explains how Children's Wisconsin considers every element of a hospital stay from the patient's family standpoint.

Penelope and Lincoln Elliott

Penelope's Story

The journey to a rare diagnosis can be long, but for Penelope, her parents and care team at Children's Wisconsin worked together to diagnose her rare food allergy.

Reagan Schotzko

Reagan was born with multiple heart defects, and doctors knew a heart transplant would be her best chance for a healthy future. She received the best St. Nick present: a new heart.

Stella Polster

Stella was born with several medical challenges and passed away at just 6 months old, leaving her family heartbroken yet grateful for the care they experienced at Children's Wisconsin.

Trey Hardmon

Since birth, Trey has been treated for sickle cell disease, but he is about to make history as the first patient at Children’s Wisconsin to receive groundbreaking gene therapy.

Warren Martin

After undergoing surgery at Children's Wisconsin to disconnect half of his brain due to severe seizures, Warren has gained mobility, communication skills, and a love for Cocomelon.

Waylon Becker

When Waylon was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer, his family knew that he was in good hands with the world-class leaders and cutting-edge research at Children's Wisconsin.

William and Elliot Aguirre

William's & Elliott's Story

Brothers William and Elliott started their day with a routine checkup and ended it in Children’s Emergency Department, each with a life-changing diagnosis: cancer.

Willow Smidl

Willow was diagnosed in utero with a life-threatening congenital condition and spent several months receiving care and growing stronger in the NICU at Children's Wisconsin.

Wyatt Waldman

When a newborn screening test found Wyatt had a life-threatening disorder, the family turned to Children's Wisconsin, where little Wyatt underwent a bone marrow transplant.