Meet Our 2010 Ambassadors
Each year, health care providers at Children's Hospital Colorado nominate special patients to be Ambassadors for Children's Hospital Colorado at Foundation and community events. This year’s Ambassadors for Children's Hospital Colorado represent the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Heart Institute, Digestive Department, the Breathing Institute and Burn Center. Read more about each of our 2010 Ambassadors below.
Amber, 17, Denver
Amber is a burn patient whose injuries from an unfortunate kitchen accident in November 2008 are still in the process of healing. She had surgery and a skin graft to heal the wounds on her left leg and foot, and wears a pressure garment daily to speed her healing and minimize her scars. Her caregivers note that Amber has demonstrated an incredible amount of strength, gratitude and energy during her recovery.
Ayla, 9, Arvada
Ayla has ITP, a blood disorder which causes her body to destroy platelets. Since she was 3, Ayla has had numerous treatments at Children’s, from IV infusions to an operation to remove her spleen. Despite frequent hospital trips, she has blossomed into a resilient, creative little girl. Ayla loves reading, swimming, dance classes and playing the piano.
Christian, 7, Westminster
Christian was born with a serious heart defect and doctors discovered a tumor in his liver when he was 5. He had a rare adult form of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma. Doctors began chemotherapy treatments immediately, but they were not having the affect doctors had hoped for and they recommended a liver transplant. Unfortunately, his first transplant didn’t go well and Christian was placed on the transplant list for a second liver. By September 2009, Christian received his second transplant, just three days before he turned 7.
Hannah, 10, Denver
Hannah relies on Children’s heavily as one of only a couple hundred kids in the world with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, a disorder that prevents her from breathing well in her sleep. Hannah needs to use a tracheotomy to help her breathe through her neck, and at night needs a ventilator to help her continue breathing in her sleep. Diagnosed as an infant, today Hannah is a thriving girl who likes to swim, and who her caregivers say has a grand personality.
Kohl, 11, Castle Rock
Kohl is a sixth grader who loves the outdoors, reading, sports, and making others laugh. Kohl was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2006 after he had been hit in the forearm with a football helmet. If it weren’t for this minor injury, his tumor may not have been discovered for some time. Kohl’s treatment involved 14 rounds of chemotherapy and a bone transplant. Throughout his treatment and recovery he preferred the playroom to his hospital bed. He would tell his parents, “Beds are for sick people and I’m not sick. I just have cancer.” Kohl’s energetic attitude has helped him and those around him cope with a major setback in the most positive of ways.
Rikki, 15, Strasburg
The early years of Rikki’s life were a struggle. She was born with congenital heart defects that required a first surgery in the earliest weeks and a second at 14 months to correct a ventral septal defect. Her second surgery left Rikki with pulmonary hypertension, so she was treated with supplemental oxygen until she was almost 5 years old. As she grew, Rikki developed into a healthy adolescent who loved playing volleyball. Her checkups were clear until she was 13, when doctors found that her pulmonary hypertension had returned along with a mitral valve problem. Thanks to 3D imaging tools in the Heart Institute, Rikki’s doctors were able to pinpoint the problem and relieve her hypertension without another surgery. She has since returned to her active life.
