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When kids are hurt, nurses are there


When children undergo intense medical treatment at Doernbecher, families often say that their care team at Doernbecher—particularly the nurses—made all the difference in their experience. Nurses build incredible bonds with kids and their caregivers during a time when they need support more than ever. When kids are feeling fragile, overwhelmed and scared, nurses are there. […]

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Elle Inspires


We’ve all heard the saying: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. One remarkable teen girl has embraced that sentiment quite literally — and has raised thousands of dollars for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in the process. Fourteen-year-old Elle Fischer was born with hemifacial microsomia, a rare condition that affects the development of the lower […]

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A life without limits


In 2005, Angela and Ryan Fischer were like any first-time expectant parents: thrilled, nervous and excited to welcome their baby daughter Elle. A 3D ultrasound during Angela’s three-month checkup revealed some slight distortion around Elle’s jaw, but with 3D technology being so new at the time, it just seemed like an imaging glitch. In fact, […]

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When new treatments save lives


On Halloween 2017, Sarah Martinez took her 8-year-old son Macario out for a night of trick-or-treating with his cousins in their Portland neighborhood. Macario, known as Macky, started feeling unwell after a short walk to the first house, so they turned around and headed home. It was then that Sarah sensed something wasn’t right. A […]

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Freestyle 2019: Sawyer


Hometown: Bend, OR Diagnosis: brain cancer Shoe: Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 Sawyer was training as a competitive gymnast when he started feeling dizzy at practice. “It kind of felt like there was a ping pong ball in my head when I did flips,” he explains. A brain scan revealed an egg-sized tumor in his […]

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Freestyle 2019: Ethan


Hometown: Vancouver, WA Diagnosis: congenital heart defect, heart transplant Shoe: Air Jordan XIV Retro Good luck keeping up with Ethan Ellis. This athletic, mile-a-minute guy is passionate about basketball and dreams of playing professionally one day.  You’d never know from his wicked sense of humor and upbeat attitude that he’s endured six open-heart surgeries (three […]

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Freestyle 2019: Kahleah


Hometown: Richland, WA Diagnosis: traumatic brain injury Shoe: React Element 55 Kahleah is a source of light and inspiration to everyone who knows her. A devastating car accident left her with multiple skull and facial fractures, but it did nothing to diminish her bright outlook on life. Perhaps the best way to describe this vibrant […]

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Freestyle 2019: Zion


Hometown: Eugene, OR Diagnosis: Hodgkin lymphoma Shoe: Air Force 1 LV8 Zion is a smart, insightful girl who loves science, reading and music. Last year, a routine sports physical revealed a lump in her neck that turned out to be lymphoma. Two days later, she began the fight of her life at Doernbecher. For her […]

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