The roar of the crowd wasn’t just for a home run at Clover Stadium in Pomona on June 14. It was a wave of admiration for four extraordinary children who took center stage, not as baseball stars, but as shining examples of resilience and hope. Mackenzie, Christopher, Livy, and Charles, all former patients of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a proud member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), were celebrated as the hospital’s newest ambassadors.
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is a beacon of hope for the most critically ill and injured children across the Hudson Valley. On this special day, the New York Boulders were honored to team up with the hospital to introduce these brave and inspiring young people. Irene Tsetsekos, Vice President of Development at WMCHealth, introduced the children.
Though unable to attend the game, 12-year-old Charles Noah of Westchester was recognized for his unwavering spirit. Charles battles severe and chronic asthma, leading to frequent hospital visits. Yet, his positive outlook consistently lifts the spirits of those around him.
The crowd then learned the incredible stories of the other three young ambassadors present:
Mackenzie, a vibrant 6-year-old from Putnam County, spent four months in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital after developing a rare and severe reaction to antibiotics called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). This devastating condition caused severe skin damage and required multiple surgeries. Today, Mackenzie is not just doing well, she’s thriving!
Next up was 6-year-old Christopher from Westchester County. Diagnosed with epilepsy at just two and a half years old, Christopher’s condition is now expertly managed thanks to the dedicated doctors at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. With specialized medication, seizures are a rarity for this happy young man.
Rounding out the group was 11-year-old Livy from Putnam County. Livy faced a challenging diagnosis of Severe Aplastic Anemia at age seven. She spent five months at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, undergoing an innovative clinical trial that utilized her mother’s engineered blood cells. Four years post-transplant, Livy is flourishing and is working towards her dreams of becoming an EMT when she grows up.
The journeys of these children are a powerful reminder of the incredible work done at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. The hospital extended its heartfelt gratitude to all its supporters, including Children’s Miracle Network Partners, dedicated staff, and the many patients and their families who attended.