March 12, 2026

Scarlett’s Story: Hope, Healing, and a New Beginning at Rady Children’s Heart Institute

Scarlett’s Story Scarlett’s heart journey began before she was even born. During a routine anatomy scan, doctors discovered that only two of the four chambers of her heart were working. Her family learned early that she would need specialized care from the moment she arrived. Even before birth, Scarlett showed incredible strength. She is a…

Heart Institute
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February 2, 2026

In Case of Emergency: Rady Children’s and Project ADAM lead the way in CPR training in schools

Each year, roughly 350,000 people in the U.S. suffer sudden cardiac arrest. The survival rate hovers at just 20%, but when bystanders step in and perform CPR or use an automated external defibrillator (AED), that number jumps to around 80%. Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego is part of a nationwide effort to provide training on…

Cardiology
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January 5, 2026

Meet Isabella, a Tiny Fighter Thriving After a Brave Start

Isabella’s Story Meet Isabella. Born at just 26 weeks and weighing less than 2 pounds, Isabella entered the world much earlier than expected and faced challenges from the very beginning. She spent 114 days in our NICU and bravely underwent a life-saving heart surgery. Through every setback, Isabella showed extraordinary strength. A Fragile Start Babies…

Heart Institute
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June 6, 2024

Hopeful at Heart

A first-time mom puts her baby girl’s heart in the hands of Rady Children’s CTICU. Ana Castaneda was 24 weeks into her first pregnancy when a routine sonogram turned her world upside down. “I was happy, healthy and hopeful, but this news was a complete whirlwind,” Ana recalls. “At the time, I had no suspicion…

Heart Institute
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May 2, 2023

All Clear: Pioneering Portal Vein Thrombosis Procedure Opens Up New Possibilities

Ashlyn Frye hadn’t been feeling her best for the last several years. Teachers said she didn’t pay attention in class and would crawl under her desk to take a nap. At home, the 11-year-old seemed disconnected, says her mom Stacey Frye. “I was used to her being out of breath and tired,” Stacey recalls. “Just…

Heart Institute
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February 24, 2023

A Heart to Hold – Parker’s Story

Can you imagine holding your own heart in your hands? That’s just what 15-year-old Parker Mayorgas did after receiving a life-saving heart transplant. But his story didn’t begin there. At 2 years old, Parker’s mother, Melissa, noticed something amiss. Parker wasn’t meeting his developmental milestones like his older brother, and his balance seemed off. Eventually,…

Heart Institute
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August 10, 2022

Team Rady Celebrates at Transplant Games; Honors Team That Delivers Highest Level of Care

The Transplant Games of America recently came to San Diego, honoring those who gave the selfless gift of life and celebrating patients. Held every two years, this was the first time the event happened on the West Coast. Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego patients and families joined team members to make a strong appearance at the…

Rady Children's Staff
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July 26, 2022

Doubly Blessed

A young life saved by the gift of a dual organ transplant In July 2021, Nehemiah “Nemo” Maldonado was a healthy, active 12-year-old playing with friends and family in his home state of Arizona. Weeks later, he was fighting for his life, facing an illness that came on suddenly and progressed rapidly. Within months, he…

Heart Institute
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