Meet Our Champions

For Bryce’s parents, his birth began as a celebration. Their baby boy was born healthy and ready to go home. But just as they were preparing to leave Shannon Medical Center, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital, a pediatrician heard a faint heart murmur. Trusting his instincts, he ordered an EKG that revealed something life-threatening. If the family had gone home, Bryce might not have survived for more than 48 hours. Bryce was immediately transferred to specialists in San Antonio, where doctors diagnosed hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a ventricular septal defect, and a ballooning mitral valve. At just 11 days old, Bryce underwent open-heart surgery to "reroute the plumbing" and restore blood flow to the left side of his heart. That first surgery saved his life. Since then, Bryce has continued to face health challenges, including monitoring a parachute mitral valve and taking blood pressure medication to manage his heart function. His long-term care spans across three children’s hospitals supported by Children’s Miracle Network, where his dedicated team has guided him from infancy through adolescence. At his most recent appointment, Bryce received his best checkup yet, a sign that the care and perseverance have paid off. Now 16, Bryce is an energetic teen who loves playing golf and giving back through Children’s Miracle Network, sharing his story of the power of expert care and community support. "Bryce is our miracle," his mom says. "We’re so grateful for the doctors who listened and saved his life."