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Each year, health care providers at Children's Hospital Colorado nominate special patients to serve as our Ambassadors in the community. This year’s Ambassadors for Children's Hospital Colorado represent the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Heart Institute, Kidney Center, Burn Center and more. Read more below about the hope and perseverance of these amazing patients.
Austin, age 13, Iliff
When Austin was 12, he was bucked and trampled by a bull during a young rodeo riders’ event. Despite wearing a helmet, his severe head injuries were nearly fatal. At Children’s, the emergency team induced a coma to help stabilize Austin’s condition. He spent the next eight weeks at the hospital, receiving treatment from more than 15 specialty areas that helped bring Austin back to health. Charming and grateful, Austin still visits Children’s for outpatient care. Compared to his original injuries, few challenges remain in the way of his recovery.
 Emily, age 11, Lakewood
Outgoing and fun-loving, Emily does not seem like a girl who has cancer. But in 2006, just after finishing soccer season, she complained of a sore arm. An x-ray revealed a tumor and she was soon diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Emily went through 23 rounds of chemotherapy before developing a cardiac condition that cut her treatment short. She then had eight surgeries, most recently receiving a titanium rod in her arm and new reverse shoulder. Despite her challenges, Emily remains active in sports and school, and loves the hospital and even plays practical jokes on the nurses.
 Kyle, age 6, Grand Junction
Kyle was born with Russell-Silver syndrome. When he was 4 years old, he was also diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Today, Kyle is being treated with various oral medications and an experimental inhaled therapy. As his condition improves, he remains outgoing, courageous and active as ever, taking life in stride. Kyle loves swimming and riding his bike with his dad.
 Morgan, age 10, Breckenridge
Diagnosed at age 6 with acute kidney failure, Morgan’s parents chose to learn how to perform dialysis at home to treat his condition. When Morgan began having seizures and other complications, he was soon spending three days of each week at Children’s. Shortly after his seventh birthday, Morgan received a successful kidney transplant. Since then, his health has greatly improved. Today, he’s an avid sports fan who never misses a chance to say hello to the nurses, or to other patients, whenever he is back at Children’s clinics.
 Nathan, age 12, Parker
Nathan and his brother were riding all-terrain vehicles together when Nathan crashed and was pinned to the ground by his ATV. His brother was able to rescue Nathan but not before he suffered 3rd degree burn injuries to his arm. Nathan’s treatment at Children’s has included a skin graft and challenging occupational therapy to help him move his arm again. He has called on his strength and sense of humor throughout his rehabilitation, and is making a movie to teach other kids about burn injuries and what his treatment was like.
Sophie, age 15, Lafayette
Sophie was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma when she was 4 years old in July 1999. Her treatment consisted of two years of intensive chemotherapy and other painful procedures. Now a cancer survivor, she has grown up to be an active and healthy high school sophomore and even volunteers at Children’s in the summers.
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