Meet Our Champions

When Whitleigh’s parents learned they were expecting twins, they were overjoyed. But at four months pregnant, their excitement turned to worry when doctors discovered their baby girl, Whitleigh, had only one kidney. At birth, both twins were taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they discovered that Whitleigh’s challenges were far greater than anyone had imagined. Doctors soon diagnosed her with VACTERL Association, a rare cluster of congenital anomalies that affects multiple systems of the body. Most patients have at least three of the seven possible anomalies: Whitleigh had six. They include vertebral, anal, tracheal, renal, and limb abnormalities. At just 48 hours old, she underwent emergency surgery to connect her esophagus to her stomach. Surgeons warned that she might never walk, sit up, or live without medical support. But Whitleigh has defied every expectation. Over the years, she’s undergone 17 surgeries, including three procedures to create and repair her anal opening, spinal surgery to release a tethered cord, and multiple operations to address bladder, respiratory, and kidney complications. Despite missing several spinal bones, including L3, L4, L5, her coccyx, and sacrum, Whitleigh can walk, dance, and even do one-handed cartwheels. Her care team at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital, especially her lead surgeon, affectionately called the family’s "quarterback," has guided her through every step with extraordinary compassion. "He treats her like she’s his own child," her mom says. "He’s given us hope every single time." Whitleigh loves her visits to the hospital, where she greets doctors and nurses who have become like family. She’s a regular with donor-funded Child Life Specialists and loves donor-funded therapy dog visits. Although her treatment is not yet over, the spirited seven-year-old Whitleigh continues to beat the odds every day.