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Riley’s Story: Expert Pediatric Care When Every Breath Matters

In the middle of a cold December, Riley struggled to breathe.

At just 13, the athlete and active teen suddenly faced a frightening asthma emergency as winter viruses overwhelmed her lungs. Her mother brought her to MidHudson Regional Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, where the pediatric emergency team acted quickly.

“When your child is in respiratory distress, it’s terrifying,” her mother shared.

Riley required continuous breathing treatments and close monitoring as her care team worked to stabilize her oxygen levels and ease the strain on her lungs.

What brought her comfort was the seamless coordination and compassion she witnessed.

“It’s truly a team effort,” her mother said. “The way they cared for Riley meant everything.”

Through the night, Riley’s care team remained by her side — monitoring her oxygen levels, delivering treatments every few hours, and adjusting her care as her condition began to stabilize.

After careful monitoring and an overnight stay, Riley was able to return home — a turning point that brought relief to her family.

Today, she is thriving — back on the field, training year-round, and looking ahead to the seasons and milestones still to come.

Her story is made possible by expert pediatric care — and by supporters like you.Make a gift today:

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More inspirational stories from MidHudson Regional Hospital:

Ivan’s Story: When Seconds Matter, a Community Comes Together to Save a Life

In July 2019, Ivan felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest. It lasted only seconds, but something wasn’t right. Within moments, he was rushed to Margaretville Hospital, a member of WMCHealth — where the team quickly recognized a life-threatening emergency.

He was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for surgery. What seemed minor was a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Surgical teams worked for more than 10 hours to save his life. The speed and coordination of his care made all the difference, giving him a chance many patients never get.

“The nurses, the doctors, everyone was amazing,” Ivan shared. “They explained everything and supported my family, too.”

His recovery was complex, requiring additional procedures and constant care. Through it all, his team never wavered.

After one of many surgeries, Ivan was determined to regain his strength. As he took his first steps down the hallway, the caregivers who had supported him throughout his journey cheered him on.

“They made me feel supported and strong,” he said.

Today, Ivan is back to the life he loves, grateful for every moment.

His story is made possible by rapid coordination, expert care, and donors like you.

Donate Now: wmchealth.org/mhdonate

More inspirational stories from Westchester Medical Center:

Harris’s Story: A Proactive Decision Leads to Life-Saving Heart Surgery

Last summer, Harris thought he was simply being proactive.

At 76, feeling strong and symptom-free, he scheduled a routine stress test at HealthAlliance Hospital, a member of WMCHealth. Instead of reassurance, he received urgent news, he needed a triple bypass.

Within days, he was admitted to Westchester Medical Center for surgery.

“From the moment I met my surgeon, I knew I was in excellent hands,” Harris said.

The surgery was successful, and Harris spent about a week recovering. What stayed with him most was not the complexity of the procedure, but the people who cared for him along the way.

“The nurses were absolutely lovely,” he shared. “I felt calm and confident every step of the way.”

Following surgery, Harris continued his recovery through cardiac rehabilitation at HealthAlliance, where his care team supported him with vigilance and encouragement. “They were incredibly dedicated caregivers,” Harris shared.

Today, Harris is back to work and living life with renewed purpose, staying active, independent, and committed to his health

His story is made possible by coordinated, life-saving care — and by supporters like you.

Make a gift today to ensure more patients receive the care they need: wmchealth.org/hadonate

Please give to HealthAlliance Hospital today!

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More inspirational stories from HealthAlliance Hospital:

Kevin’s Story: Finding Confidence Through Cancer Care Close to Home

When Kevin was diagnosed with cancer, his focus narrowed to one thing: finding care he could trust.

At Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, he found a team that delivered exactly that — expert, coordinated care grounded in compassion.

From the start, every step was clearly explained. Specialists worked together to guide his treatment, giving Kevin confidence during an uncertain time. He never felt rushed, only supported, informed, and confident in the path ahead.

“They didn’t just tell me what was going to happen,” Kevin shared. “They took the time to walk me through everything. What the plan was, why it mattered, and what I could expect next. That gave me a lot of confidence during a very uncertain time.”

Through multiple treatments and two major surgeries, Kevin experienced something more than clinical excellence, he felt known.

“You weren’t just a number there,” Kevin said. “They knew my name. The nurses knew me, the doctors knew me — even the security guards knew my name. When you’re going through something this serious, that kind of personal care makes all the difference.”

Today, Kevin is cancer-free, back to living his life with strength, gratitude, and hope.

His story is made possible by advanced care, dedicated teams, and supporters like you who help ensure exceptional care is always within reach.

Donate today to support life-saving care close to home:

Donate now »

More inspirational stories from Good Samaritan Hospital:

Tina’s Story: A Nurse Becomes the Patient—and Finds Care That Feels Personal

When Tina needed surgery, she walked into Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, with trust and hope — not as a nurse caring for others, but as a patient placing her life in the hands of a skilled, compassionate team.

As a healthcare professional, Tina knows what exceptional care looks like. From the moment she arrived, she experienced it. Clear communication, attention to detail, and a team that made her feel safe and supported every step of the way.

“The care was excellent, but what truly stayed with me was how personal it felt,” Tina shared. “I always knew I was in capable hands.”

Tina underwent a carefully coordinated procedure to treat a serious gynecologic condition. Because of her sensitivity to anesthesia, her recovery required additional monitoring and thoughtful attention. Her care team remained by her side, offering calm reassurance and expert support, ensuring she was comfortable and confident before returning home.

Today, Tina is thriving — continuing her work as a nurse and enjoying time with her family.

Her story is made possible by compassionate caregivers and by supporters like you.

Make a gift today to ensure exceptional care is always here when it’s needed most:

Donate now »

More inspirational stories from Bon Secours Community Hospital:

Livy’s Story: A Life-Saving Breakthrough Gives a Child Her Future Back

At just 7 years old, Livy was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia — a rare condition that left her body unable to produce the blood cells she needed to survive.

Almost overnight, her life changed. School, dance, and time with friends were replaced with hospital stays and an urgent search for a bone marrow donor.

“As a parent, you never expect to hear words like that about your child,” her mother, Jessica, shared. “Our only focus was saving her life.”

At Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, Livy’s care team refused to accept limited options. When no donor match was found, they turned to an innovative clinical trial — using her mother as a donor to give her a chance at life.

During her recovery, Livy developed a life-threatening viral infection while her immune system was still rebuilding. Her physicians acted quickly, using advanced cellular therapy to help her body fight back.

“They didn’t just treat Livy,” Jessica said. “They fought for her.”

After a long year, Livy regained her strength and returned to the life she loves.

Today, she is thriving — filling her days with art, dance, and dreams for the future.

Her story is made possible by innovation, expertise, and donors like you.

Make a gift today to help deliver life-saving care to children who need it most: wmchealth.org/mfchdonate

More inspirational stories from Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital:

Miracle Marcos

Marcos at age 4, alongside his parents, Mailyn and Marcos, and his neonatologist, Dr. Melanie…

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Ivan’s Story: When Seconds Matter, a Community Comes Together to Save a Life

In July 2019, Ivan felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest. It lasted only seconds, but something wasn’t right. Within moments, he was rushed to Margaretville Hospital, a member of WMCHealth — where the team quickly recognized a life-threatening emergency.

He was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for surgery. What seemed minor was a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Surgical teams worked for more than 10 hours to save his life. The speed and coordination of his care made all the difference, giving him a chance many patients never get.

“The nurses, the doctors, everyone was amazing,” Ivan shared. “They explained everything and supported my family, too.”

His recovery was complex, requiring additional procedures and constant care. Through it all, his team never wavered.

After one of many surgeries, Ivan was determined to regain his strength. As he took his first steps down the hallway, the caregivers who had supported him throughout his journey cheered him on.

“They made me feel supported and strong,” he said.

Today, Ivan is back to the life he loves, grateful for every moment.

His story is made possible by rapid coordination, expert care, and donors like you.

Donate Now

More inspirational stories from Westchester Medical Center:

Parks Foundation Winter Wonderland Event Raises More Than $12,000 for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

Representatives from the Westchester Parks Foundation came to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), to present proceeds from a community fundraiser at Westchester’s 2025 Winter Wonderland holiday event. More than $12,000 raised will support the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy program at the hospital. 

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital’s advanced pediatric services includes heart care, such as fetal cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery; neurology, neurosurgery and other pediatric neurosciences; hematology and oncology care; organ transplantation (liver, kidney); critical care; emergency care; general surgery and many other pediatric subspecialties. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is also home to the area’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Level I pediatric trauma and burn care programs and Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  For more information visit MariaFareriChildrens.org or to support our pediatric programs and services, visit WMCHealthgiving.org.

Miracle Marcos

Marcos at age 4, alongside his parents, Mailyn and Marcos, and his neonatologist, Dr. Melanie Leong

In June of 2021, what should have been a joyful moment for Mailyn quickly turned into a fight for survival. Her son Marcos was born full-term at Good Samaritan Hospital after an emergency C-section, while Mailyn herself suffered severe hemorrhaging and had to be rushed to Westchester Medical Center. As doctors worked to save her, baby Marcos was struggling too. Suspected of meconium aspiration, he was transferred to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital—but during the transfer, he went into distress and stopped breathing. In a matter of hours, this new family was facing unimaginable uncertainty.

When Mailyn woke from surgery the next day, she was met with devastating news: Marcos’ condition was dire. His care team, led by Dr. Melanie Leong, explained that he needed ECMO—a life-saving treatment that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs. For six long days, Marcos remained on ECMO, supported by machines and a team of experts who refused to give up on him. Every moment was critical, every decision vital. Because of the extraordinary skill, compassion, and dedication of the NICU staff, Marcos began to recover. After 21 days in the hospital, he was finally strong enough to go home.

Today, Marcos is a thriving, joyful four-year-old who is not only meeting milestones—but exceeding them. Mailyn calls him her miracle, and she credits the team at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital for saving his life. 

Stories like Marcos’s are only possible through donor support. Your generosity helps ensure that life-saving care, advanced technology, and compassionate teams are there for families when they need them most.

Local ShopRite Stores Raise over $83,000 in Support of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

We recently visited ShopRite in Chester, NY, to celebrate our ongoing partnership and the incredible generosity of the ShopRite community. During a two-week campaign last November, customers at ShopRite locations across the Hudson Valley donated more than $83,000 to support Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and its lifesaving care for local children. We are deeply grateful to the ShopRite staff and their dedicated customers for their continued commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve.

To learn how you or your business can partner with us to advance the quality of care in our community, click here.