Childhood is made up of a million moments.
Did you know? Donations to Children’s Miracle Network and the Sanford Health Foundation raise funds to provide medical equipment, programming and financial assistance for families
A belly laugh, an extra-long cuddle session, first-day-of-school jitters, securing a driver’s license, walking across the graduation stage. As a parent, you look forward to the big moments and spend the rest of the time enjoying all the little ones that shape your child’s life. But things can change in an instant. And even though you’re not planning for an emergency room visit, hospital stay or serious illness, Sanford Children’s is ready for those moments that can turn everything upside down. When it comes to your child’s health – every moment matters. And when you put your trust in Sanford Children’s, you’ll get an expert team that cares a lot about your littlest family members.
that rely on Sanford Children’s Hospital.
An unexpected symptom reveals a life-changing diagnosis
For the first nine months of her life, Emma Neu was a healthy, happy baby girl. She ate well, achieved all her milestones and brought joy to everyone around her. Then, one afternoon, Emma woke up from a nap with a swollen eye and a lump on her right temple. Initially, her parents, Courtney and Trent, thought it might be allergies. Over the next five days, the Neus worked with doctors to try to figure out what was wrong. Then, Emma developed a low-grade fever. After a trip to the emergency room and some additional testing, doctors discovered Emma had a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. Her diagnosis marked the beginning of a complex and difficult cancer journey that spanned more than two years. She’s endured bone marrow transplants, months of chemotherapy and countless procedures. Days became weeks and weeks became months, but Emma’s spirit refused to dim — thanks in part to the child life specialists who got to know Emma’s interests and brought toys and activities that made her time at Sanford Children’s a little more fun. Today, Emma is a happy 5-year-old who is getting ready to start kindergarten next year. While she still visits Sanford Children’s Hospital regularly for physical therapy and follow-up oncology care, her cancer is in remission and her future looks bright.
Over 15,000 kids had an appointment at the pediatric specialty clinic last year. That includes outreach care and virtual appointments.
“We couldn’t be more thankful. Having a facility like Sanford Children’s so close to home has been so beneficial.” TRENT NEU EMMA’S DAD
What do child life specialists do? Child life specialists ease the concerns and fears of patients and their families with education, medical play and other activities.
Who helped Emma feel better? Oncologists Physical therapists Child life specialists Nurses
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