October 6, 2026

Back in the Swing of Things

From a Life-Changing Diagnosis to the Baseball Diamond, Bronson Is Thriving When Bronson first connected with Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, he was barely bigger than a baseball. Marissa went into her 20-week ultrasound expecting the usual: a quick look, a few photos and reassurance. What she got instead was the kind of news that…

Cardiology
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July 9, 2026

Love Notes: A Thank You From the Heart

A Mother’s Thank You to the Team That Cared for Damian’s Heart Love Notes is a series of articles written by parents, patients, caregivers and loved ones expressing gratitude to the incredible teams at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Dear Dr. Nigro, It’s hard to believe it has already been four years since we last…

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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December 11, 2025

Every Step Counts

Rady Children’s laces up its sneakers for the American Heart Association Heart & Stroke Walk When San Diego comes together to support heart health, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego leads the way. As a presenting sponsor of the American Heart Association’s San Diego Heart & Stroke Walk, the Hospital is taking meaningful steps toward preventing…

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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November 14, 2023

Jordan the Heart Warrior

Jordan was welcomed into the world following a healthy full-term pregnancy and birth. He was deemed healthy during his newborn exam and at his early pediatric visits. Around 7 weeks of age, he began breathing rapidly, sweating profusely when eating, and seemed to be struggling with breathing. A pediatric visit revealed he was not gaining…

Heart Institute
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May 10, 2023

From Stomachache to Heart Transplant: How Genomics Saved a Teen’s Life

Mario Luna, an eighth-grader from Culver City, has always been passionate about basketball. He even dreams of playing in the NBA one day. However, on January 12, his world was turned upside down. It all started with a stomachache which quickly turned into a more serious heart condition.   Mario’s heart began beating uncontrollably and his…

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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May 10, 2022

Hopeful and Grateful: One Family Living with Pediatric Heart Disease

Jaylie Sawyer is a bright and joyful 7-year-old who loves animals, enjoys math and is proving to be a natural on skis. She also is living with pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS), a rare condition in which the veins that carry blood from the lungs back to the heart continually narrow and scar. The cause of…

Heart Institute
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August 22, 2018

Emma’s Incredible Journey

Emma’s Incredible Journey at Rady Children’s By Erica Gadbois A Routine Diagnosis Takes a Turn “It’s respiratory — totally normal.” After taking her daughter, Emma, then 17 months old, to the doctor for cold-like symptoms and a fever, Jessica Keene breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this routine diagnosis. But what was in store…

Emergency Department, Heart Institute
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