Silas

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Silas endured a brain injury at birth, resulting in his Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. Seeking an Endocrinologist, his family took him to CHaD in 2023, where he now has a team of specialists to aid with his lists of diagnoses as he continues to grow. His mother, Melissa, is grateful they have such amazing doctors close to their home, where they can monitor and treat his new symptoms as they arise.

Although he is nonverbal, Silas has a lot to share with the world. He represents other nonverbal kids, who communicate differently. Using assistive technology and adaptive equipment, Silas shows there are no limits to what he can do. Among his favorite activities are skating on his outdoor hockey rink, spending time outdoors, and swimming!

At thirteen, Silas is an inspiration to so many, representing the disabled community by showing all he can do, and creating a more accessible world.

Isabelle

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Isabelle started her CHaD journey at the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) after she was born at 33 weeks and transported to DHMC. Her parents, Elizabeth and Rich are grateful for the care Isabelle received from expert doctors, who not only cared for Isabelle, but for their family as well. Her team thoroughly answered all of their questions, keeping them informed of Isabelle’s progress.

Today, Isabelle is a spirited seven-year-old, who enjoys being a Kid Ambassador and attending the yearly Dartmouth Health Children’s events. They have helped her gain more confidence, and speak to new people in the community. Her favorite activities include reading, swimming, and sports like t-ball and soccer. She is happy to be a Kid HERO!

Chase

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Chase was born in 2016 and spent time in the CHaD Intensive Care Nursery (ICN). At a check-up just before his first birthday, Chase’s doctors noticed abnormalities during a routine head and neck exam. Doctors ordered more tests and ultrasounds and quickly diagnosed Chase with Hydrocephalus, excess fluids and pressure on the brain. Chase was scheduled for surgery at CHaD to remove the fluid and pressure from his brain.

At 6 months old, his mother Stefanie also began to notice that some of his features seemed to be a little different than normal. Stefanie began researching and with the help of Chase’s doctors, they found that he was born with a rare genetic mutation called Macrocephaly-Capillary Malformation (MC-M).

Chase is now a very active and happy eight-year-old boy, who has participated in many events with Dartmouth Health Children’s throughout the years with his parents. They are grateful for all the help they’ve received.

Josie

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Josie was born one month early and was greeted by her CHaD ICN team immediately after she was born. Within 24 hours, she developed pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) and was subsequently admitted for one month. During the first ten days of her life, her family was unable to hold her and could only touch her during her care due to the stress her little body was under.

Her nurses helped to make Josie’s parents feel involved and provided them with some semblance of control during a time which felt very out of control. They were provided with so much support and resources during their stay- lactation consultants who were determined to help her nurse, child life specialists who helped her big sister understand what was happening, and unit supports who helped create Journey Beads and other mementos to commemorate her growth.

After Josie was discharged from the ICN, she was closely monitored at the transitional long-term care (TLC) clinic for the next two years. They answered all the anxious questions and listened to her family’s concerns. Being discharged from the clinic was incredibly bittersweet. Without CHaD, they wouldn't have Josie. Her family is so thankful!

Riley

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At just 13 months old, Riley was diagnosed with a rare neurological mitochondrial disease called LEIGH. Battling a combination of shingles, pneumonia, and RSV unfortunately resulted in her need to be on a ventilator 24/7. Given only 2-3 years prognosis, Riley has defied those odds, as she is now a twelve–year–old girl who enjoys music and movies, and unicorns!

Riley visits her doctors and care team at CHaD, and attends school, where she continues to make everyone smile, including her classmates who love the opportunity to see her. Her family, including her mother, Amye, continues to be inspired by Riley, as she smiles through everything she endures.

Amye hopes that sharing Riley’s story helps others see that even in sadness, there is happiness, and we can take each moment as a gift and a memory.

Hayden

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Hayden was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1lb 10 oz. He was transported to CHaD to the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) where he was fighting for his life. Hayden had a lot of ups and downs and stayed there for 5 months and 4 days. He had several surgeries while he was there including a Cricoid Split Surgery and closure of heart murmur. Hayden wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for his amazing doctors and nurses.

Today, Hayden is full of life and a kindhearted 14-year-old boy. He enjoys being a Kid Ambassador and attending the yearly Dartmouth Health Children’s Hockey event. He loves to play soccer and basketball and hang out with his friends. Hayden has a quiet voice due to his airways but otherwise he is a healthy teenager. He is all about the underdogs and brings smiles wherever he goes. He is happy to be a Kid HERO!

Luca

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Luca was born ten weeks early and spent six months in the ICN before coming home. During that time, he endured two surgeries, multiple tests and procedures, and was ultimately diagnosed with a rare genetic disease.

At just under two years old, with his complex history, he is the most resilient and determined little human and continues to amaze everyone. Luca’s family, including his mom Megan, hopes that sharing Luca’s story will help spread awareness.

Holly

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Holly’s experience with CHaD started when her mom, Nhu, gave birth at 35-weeks. Holly was diagnosed with ileum atresia and had her first surgery the day after she was born. Holly and her family were at the ICN for 93 days.

Staff at CHaD were supportive from the start. As a first–time mom, nothing could prepare Nhu for the emotional tug of war that comes with caring for a sick child. There were a lot of uncertainties at the time but Holly’s team of doctors, nurses, a case manager, and social worker gave her family hope.

In May of 2024, after 3 hospitalizations due to severe anemia, Holly went through 2 bowel surgeries and spent 6 weeks at CHaD inpatient Pediatric unit. Again, staff were there to support and provided her family with all the resources to make Holly’s hospital stay easier for her mental health. Holly had gone through so much, but when talking about the time she stayed in the hospital, all she has are the good memories where she got to spend time in the playroom, do arts and crafts with the staff, and meet therapy dogs. Her family is forever thankful for all the love and care that Holly has received for the past 7 years.

Conner

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Conner was born prematurely in May of 2013 by emergency C-section at Concord Hospital. He was having trouble breathing and was transferred to the ICN at CHaD, where we would spend the next 5 1/2 weeks. While he was a patient at CHaD, Conner received some of the best care possible. The care team was amazing and helped Conner's family through one of the scariest times of their lives. Now at the age of 12, Conner loves to play hockey and attend the yearly events for Dartmouth Health Children’s. He is happy to be a Kid HERO this year and be an advocate for other kids who are at CHaD, just as he was cared for as a baby.

Sylven

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At just four months old, Sylven was rushed for an emergency visit at Dartmouth Health’s Pediatric Cardiology. Meeting his doctor for the first time, they were informed that Sylven was born with a rare heart defect called L-TGA. Sylven proceeded to spend a full weekend at CHaD to be monitored, and his doctor stood by him and his family’s side every step of the way as they prepared for his first heart surgery. All went well, and Sylven started gaining weight. Just this past May, Sylven had another major surgery at Boston Children’s, which went very well without any complications. He continues to reach his milestones as he lives life to the fullest!

With the care and guidance of his entire medical team at both CHaD and Boston Children’s, Sylven was able to enjoy the summer swimming, playing with friends, and has now transitioned into the big kid classroom at school. He receives immense support and care from his teachers. Now at 2 years old, Sylven enjoys cooking, swimming, dancing, and music.

Eliana

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Eliana was born with Gastroschisis, experiencing a rough beginning. Dealing with a very long journey, she experienced many setbacks and surgeries as a small, fragile baby. The CHaD team was very hard-working and included members who even played a role in saving her grandmother in 1975!

Since Eliana was born, she has endured many surgeries and still experiences chronic challenges that she does her best to overcome, including many allergies to medications and foods. As an 11-year-old, her long-term goal is to be a NICU doctor and work with the doctor who saved her life! As a Kid HERO, Eliana wants to show everyone that her life is a miracle and the CHaD ICN did so much for her, especially in helping her navigate her medications. Still a CHaD patient, Eliana will forever be a supporter!

Haywood

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Haywood has been a part of CHaD and Dartmouth Health Children’s since he was 2. He was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was just 13 months old. His time at CHaD was short, but the smaller office in Dover grew to be like a family. Haywood’s mother, Emilee, is forever grateful for the support over the years.

Haywood is an active 11–year–old boy who enjoys all things sports and being outdoors. He plays flag football along with tackle football in the fall and basketball in the winter season.

Keir

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Keir’s story with CHaD started at birth, where doctors first detected a heart murmur. He spent his first year of life with ongoing monthly visits and catheterization. This was followed by his first heart surgery in 2013 at Boston Children’s. For nine years, Keir visited his doctor for semi-annual check-ins. Just last April, it was determined he would need a second intervention. This heart surgery was a success, using the Ross Procedure, which used Keir’s own tissue to repair his aortic valve. Keir’s mom Heather is grateful for the ongoing support and care they received from his doctors at CHaD. With close monitoring and collaboration, they allowed Keir to grow stronger each year.

Living with a congenital heart defect has not been Keir’s only battle. In 2021, his dad Andre passed away from cancer. Keir was just 8 years old. Andre had always planned to take Keir to Paris to see all the sights and Disneyland Paris. Even though Andre couldn’t fulfil this dream, Keir’s team at CHaD partnered with Make-a-Wish and worked with Keir and his family for several years to plan a special dream trip to Paris. This trip was meaningful in so many ways, but most importantly, honored Keir’s special bond with his dad.

Now at 13 years old, Keir enjoys outdoor activities like swimming and skiing. As a Kid HERO, Keir and his mom want to show other heart warriors that heart surgery does not take away from the kind of life you hope for and deserve. They want to help others to not feel scared and alone.

Astraea

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In January 2025, Astraea (7 years old) was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive childhood brain cancer, CNS Neuroblastoma FoxR2 Activated. Interestingly enough, Astraea is no stranger to rare disorders. At three years old she was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disorder, STXBP1–disorder.

Since Astraea received her brain cancer diagnosis in January, she has endured tumor removal surgery, six weeks of radiation, and is currently starting her third round of chemotherapy (out of six). It has not been easy for her, but her family remains extremely grateful for the wonderful and compassionate care she's received from her care team. Despite facing two rare diagnoses, Astraea’s spirit shines. She lives in Vermont with her parents and two brothers. She loves Summer, warm breezes, colorful lights, windchimes, swimming, birdwatching, and the joy of being surrounded by her family and friends.

Willow

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Willow was born at 29 weeks and 2 days. She was a little under three pounds, but her mom, April, already knew that her daughter would be a fighter. The hospital where Willow was born did not have a neonatal intensive care unit. The doctors and nurses were on video chat with the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) team at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) who were guiding them on how to care for her until DHART’s CHaD team arrived to bring Willow to the ICN.

Now, Willow is 3 years old, and her parents and big sister are grateful for the team at the ICN who not only helped treat Willow back to health, but also handled their situation with compassion through the life-changing journey.

Jacob

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Jacob and his twin sister, Mayra, were born at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth at 26 weeks. Both Jacob and his sister were ventilated at birth and moved to the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) but each child had a different course of treatments, diagnoses and surgeries in the following weeks and months.

Although Jacob is still followed by numerous specialists within CHaD and continues to need therapies for communication, he lives a normal life. He loves to run around, which for a boy who is missing a huge portion of his right lung and severe pulmonary hypertension, you would never be able to tell. Jacob absolutely loves being outdoors. He enjoys swimming, skiing, kayaking, riding his bike, going for walks-especially to the park, and he loves music.

Jillian

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Jillian became a CHaD patient in September 2003 on the day she was born. Shortly after birth, Jillian was diagnosed with several heart defects and a genetic syndrome. She sees a wide range of doctors at Dartmouth Health Children’s and CHaD which includes neurology, genetics, gastroenterology, endocrinology, cardiology, and audiology. Her doctors have worked along side her and her family to ensure that Jillian is able to maintain her active and outgoing lifestyle.

Mayra

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Mayra is the 16-year-old twin sister of Jacob, born at CHaD at 26 weeks. She spent a total of four months receiving medical care, including several brain surgeries. During her stay, it was discovered that Mayra had a condition called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia (ITP), requiring numerous treatments to bring her blood count up and build her immune system.

Lillian

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Lillian was born at 29 weeks, weighing just 2lbs. 4oz. For two and a half months, her and her family lived at the CHaD ICN, being the longest months of their lives. Lillian’s mother, Connie recalls how the nurses in the ICN were their lifelines. To this day, they still stay in touch with those nurses.

Lillian has been a Hockey Buddy at Battle of the Badges for years now and plays the sport herself. Now at the age of 10, she is proud of being an “early baby” and feels that it is important to show that even having a tough start does not define the rest of your life.

Mason

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After an unexpected and premature delivery, Mason was taken from the operating room to CHaD by DHART. Without warning, and with a rapid decline in heartrate, everyone was unsure if Mason would be breathing. For 31 days he stayed in ICN, where the doctors, nurses, and respiratory techs cared for him and his mom, Lindsey. Although Mason doesn’t remember his helicopter trip, he wants other families to know how great CHaD and the ICN is, because without them, he would not be here, cheering on the players at this year’s football game!

Holden

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Holden and his twin sister Hadley came into the world at 25 weeks old. After losing Hadley the next day, Holden fought for 114 days in the ICN and graduated healthy as can be. Holden’s mom Samantha and the rest of his family are forever grateful for the staff, friends, and relationships built along the way at CHaD. Holden loves attending the Dartmouth Health Children’s events, and using his own voice to share his story.

Charleigh

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Born prematurely at 34 weeks, Charleigh faced a life-threatening battle from the start. She was blue and not breathing, requiring immediate intubation at CHaD’s Intensive Care Nursery. After surfactant therapy, she was extubated and placed on a CPAP machine. Her family’s CHaD stay coincided with the holiday season, and the exceptional staff ensured that this special time – Charleigh’s very first Christmas – was filled with gifts from donors and volunteers.

Charleigh’s challenges continued after discharge, with admissions to the PICU for apnea causing bradycardia, and later for respiratory issues requiring oxygen therapy. Throughout, the CHaD team provided critical care and unwavering support, enabling Charleigh to return home for additional recovery. Though she still faces breathing difficulties, Charleigh’s resilience and her family’s gratitude serve as a powerful reminder of the impact CHaD has had on countless children and families.