Stories From the 26th Annual WKLH Miracle Marathon Presented by Mars Family Foundation

Boy playing on playground

May 16-17, 2024

The WKLH Miracle Marathon benefiting Children’s Wisconsin shares stories of hope and healing from the kids and families cared for by Children’s Wisconsin. The two-day radiothon is one of the largest fundraisers for Children’s Wisconsin and broadcasts live on 96.5 WKLH and wklh.com. Every dollar raised during the event supports the physical, social and mental health of the kids in our communities.

Here, you’ll find many of the incredible stories that made us laugh, cry and inspired us to continue doing all we can to help the kids of Wisconsin be the healthiest in the nation. All the stories told during the 26th annual WKLH Miracle Marathon can be found here.

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Anna

Anna has been a Children’s patient her entire life, so when celebrating her quinceañera, she decided to have her photos taken at Children’s Wisconsin.

Anna

Anna had been healthy until an annual check-up with her pediatrician raised concerns. Shockingly, Anna had an autoimmune disorder that had destroyed 75% of her kidneys.

Aubree

Aubree was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and underwent 14 months of very aggressive treatment. She enjoyed a year in remission before she relapsed and lost her courageous fight.

Bennett

Bennett's Story

After a diagnosis of leukemia, an incredibly brave Bennett came to the MACC Fund Center at Children’s Wisconsin for care.

Burton

Burton, an English Cream Golden Retriever, is a therapy dog who volunteers with his human, Beth, at Children’s Wisconsin. He brings smiles to kids wherever he goes!

Carson

At 14, a mental health crisis led Carson to attempt to take his life, resulting in life-threatening and devastating injuries. Today, he shares his story to raise awareness.

Chase

Only a few days after Chase was born, his parents noticed he was struggling to breathe and knew something wasn’t right. They immediately sought help.

Danny

Danny had always been healthy until the day his family found him unresponsive, shaking and with his eyes rolling back in his head. His care team at Children’s didn’t rest until they had a diagnosis.

Germelle

Germelle's Story

At just one month old, Germelle was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. By the time he was 5, he needed a bone marrow transplant to survive.

Henry

Henry was diagnosed prenatally with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect. He bravely fought through many obstacles and left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Holden

When Holden was a baby, he survived a near-fatal heart event. After heading home, Holden continued with follow-up care at Children’s Wisconsin to ensure a complete recovery.

Ian

Ian is unable to walk or sit on his own, so his physical therapists recommended him for Go Baby Go!, a program that outfits kids with motorized cars. Now Ian is cruising!

Jack

Jack was born with a congenital heart defect, and at just two days old, had lifesaving open-heart surgery at the Children’s Wisconsin’s Herma Heart Institute.

Jeb

Jeb was born with a dip in his chest, and his doctors explained that corrective surgery could expand his lung space. Thanks to new advances, he was feeling great after surgery.

Jenny

After an aplastic anemia diagnosis, Jenny received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from her brother. Now, she’s in medical school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Jessica

Jessica's Story

Jessica was a patient at Children’s 30 years ago when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Today, she’s giving back by bringing a bit of sparkle to kids when they need it most.

Jude

Jude has an extremely rare form of eye cancer. Even rarer are doctors who specialize in it. Thankfully, Jude and his doctor, Dr. Rama, have an unbreakable bond.

Julia

Julia has been a patient at Children’s for most of her life. Her experiences as a patient have inspired her! Julia is studying nursing and volunteers at Children’s.

Karli

When Karli, who lives in Texas, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, her parents scoured the internet for the best care. One place kept coming up – Children’s Wisconsin.

KeeKee

Keekee was in disbelief when her son Amareon, a college student and a football star, became a victim of gun homicide. Through Project Ujima, she found support for her younger son and her.

Livi

At two months old, Livi was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect, which required immediate hospitalization and open-heart surgery.

Logan

In 2017, Logan collapsed and was transported to Children’s Wisconsin. He was in severe heart failure and had irreparable brain damage. His family channeled their grief into saving the lives of other kids.

Lottie

Lottie was born via emergency C-section three months premature and at just two pounds, four ounces. A deflated lung meant she needed immediate, lifesaving surgery.

Mara

When a CT scan showed Mara had an aneurysm, the transport team rushed her to Children’s Wisconsin. Mara spent 48 nights in the hospital, fighting to recover.

Mykaela

Mykaela's Story

When Mykaela collapsed at home, she was transported to Children’s Wisconsin via Flight for Life. Although Mykaela had always been healthy, she’d had a heart attack and needed a transplant.

Nick

Due to a heart condition, Nick’s care team felt a heart transplant was the best option for his long-term health. After going on the transplant list, a middle-of-the-night phone call changed Nick’s life.

Nolan

After suffering a stroke, Nolan has inspired his Physical and Occupational Therapy team with how hard he’s worked to regain his ability to move, function and communicate.

Quinn

After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Quinn underwent an extensive treatment plan, including 11 rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and one bone marrow transplant.

Quinones and Cameron

Quinones & Cameron's Story

When brothers Camrin and Quinones were having challenges in their lives, a connection to a Children’s behavioral health consultant gave them the tools they needed to improve their mental health.

RJ was born with a brain injury and soon after suffered several seizures. By four months old, he had seen five specialists at Children’s Wisconsin and was referred to the Complex Care Program.

Sloan

Foster parents Meagan and Maddie received a call on Mother’s Day weekend that there was a newborn boy, Sloan, in need of foster care.

Tess

When Tess relapsed after a bone marrow transplant, her family learned of clinical trials happening in the MACC Fund Center at Children’s Wisconsin and decided Children’s was where they wanted to be.

Sparks

The Sparks Family's Story

Tucker and his brother Jackson were injured in the Waukesha parade tragedy. Jackson, who was eight, died three days later. Through the unimaginable, the family knew the boys were receiving the very best care.

Zerillo

The Zerillo Family's Story

Two of the Zerillo family’s three daughters, Angelina and Sophia, have had Children’s Wisconsin journeys. But even before that, the Zerillos knew Children’s was a cause to believe in.

Ty was playing basketball when he heard a “pop” in his leg. A torn ACL and meniscus required orthopedic surgery and took him out of sports for a year.

Will

When Will was just three weeks old, he became very ill. At Children’s Emergency and Trauma Department, newborn Will was diagnosed with RSV and bacterial meningitis.