Meet Our Champions

At five years old, Jordy was full of energy, always playing, laughing, and having fun. But seemingly overnight, everything changed. He developed severe stomach pain, nausea, and sudden weight loss, and at his yearly checkup, his pediatrician noticed his growth had stalled. Concerned, she referred Jordy to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital. After initial testing, Jordy was admitted to the hospital’s gastroenterology department, where a week of scopes and labs led doctors to diagnose Crohn’s disease. The news shocked his family, who had no history of the condition. Jordy began infusions and medications, but nothing worked. "He just wasn’t getting better," his mom remembers. Doctors decided to look deeper and ordered genetic testing. The results changed everything: Jordy didn’t have Crohn’s. He had XLP2, an extremely rare immune disorder with fewer than 100 known cases worldwide. Managing inflammation became a daily struggle. His medical team explained that a bone marrow transplant was his only chance for a cure. Though risky, Jordy faced the decision with courage far beyond his years. At eight years old, he was admitted for transplant preparation, and after a successful procedure, Jordy was discharged on his birthday, cured and full of hope. Now nine, Jordy is thriving. He loves flag football, video games, and playing outside with friends. His family continues routine checkups, but the future looks bright. "UPMC Children’s gave us our son back," says his mom. "They never gave up and now he’s healthy, happy, and exactly where he’s meant to be."