T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital introduced nine Miracle Children during the annual tree lighting event in Erlanger’s Medical Mall.

The Miracle Children will represent Children’s Hospital throughout the coming year as part of the Children’s Miracle Network.

After being introduced, the children, along with Erlanger President and CEO Jim Brexler and T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital Foundation Chairman Brad Cobb officially marked the beginning of the holiday season with the lighting of the tree.

Introduced were 12-year-old Juve Varela, son of Juvenal Varela and Olivia Escamillia of Dalton; 15-year-old Kenny Slatton, son of Kenneth and Beverly Slatton of Whitwell; 17-month-old Klaire Robison, daughter of Steve and Kelley Robison of Chattanooga; 13-month-old McKenzie Price, daughter of Marcus and Londie Price of Chattanooga; 10-month-old Nathan Kelly, son of Matt and April Kelly of Chattanooga; 15-year-old Will Amick, son of James and Dana Amick of Calhoun, Ga.

; 10-year-old Jordon Asher, son of Ricky and Shannon Asher of Rossville; 12-year-old Bree Jellison, daughter of George and Yvonne Jellison of Riceville, Tn.; and JaVanesse Craig, daughter of Travis Dillard and Chansonette Young of Rossville.

“The courageous spirit each of these children upholds is incredible,” said Betsy Taylor, chief development officer at Erlanger. “As Miracle Children, their stories will encourage each and everyone they meet.”

Eleven-month-old Nathan Kelly was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma (liver cancer) at just two days old and began chemotherapy at only eight days old. Yet, after six rounds of chemo and surgery to remove the tumor and part of his liver, Nathan is officially cancer free.

Fifteen-year-old Will Amick suffered an accidental gunshot wound from a hunting rifle in January 2008. After being airlifted to Children’s Hospital, Will underwent two surgeries to repair the damage and spent 18 days in the hospital. He was released from his doctors to resume normal activities in June and continues to build his strength by working with his personal trainer.

Ten-year-old Jordon Asher developed a rare kidney disease in June 2006 called MPGN II. In December of that year, Jordon was fit for a device that allowed for him to receive daily dialysis at home and his condition improved. Unfortunately the following year, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. At one point, doctors thought he would need a heart transplant, but Jordon miraculously stabilized. Despite daily struggles over regulating his diet and taking medications and treatments, Jordon remains unbelievably optimistic.

Twelve-year-old Juve Varela was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January 2007 and immediately underwent surgery to remove the tumor, followed by four rounds of chemotherapy. Despite headaches, nausea, and lack of appetite, Juve handled the entire three-month hospital stay with optimism. He is now cancer free and is enjoying seventh grade.

Fifteen-year-old Kenny Slatton was accidently shot in his right leg in November 2007. The gun was fired at such close range that much of the muscle was damaged beyond repair. After an unsuccessful attempt to save his leg, doctors amputated it above the knee. After six months of physical therapy, he learned to walk again with a prosthetic leg and continues to get stronger each day.

Seventeen-month-old Klaire Robison was diagnosed at 20 weeks gestation with Down syndrome and a congenital defect resulting in her esophagus not being connected to her stomach. When she was born, doctors determined the gap between her esophagus and stomach was too large to immediately connect and Klaire spent six and half months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. After multiple surgeries, Klaire was released from Children’s Hospital. She is currently eating though a feeding tube and is growing and thriving. She will undergo a final surgery to connect her esophagus in the spring.

Thirteen-month-old McKenzie Price was born at 23 weeks weighing only 1 pound, 4 ounces. Because of her extreme prematurity, she developed a grade IV intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) and hydrocephalus. Grade IV is the most severe type of IVH and most infants suffer brain damage or cerebral palsy. However, after three surgeries, McKenzie is a healthy and inquisitive 13-month-old with well developed social skills. Her biggest challenge is the weakness on her left side, but she continues to develop her gross motor skills through therapy at Siskin Children’s Institute.

When 12-year-old Bree Jellison arrived at Children’s Hospital in September 2007, she had about a five percent chance of survival. Her family’s car had been hit head-on by a drunk driver and as a result of the impact, she hit her head so hard that a piece of her skull was pushed into her brain, severing a major artery. She spent 28 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and was released from Children’s Hospital two months later. Today, despite slight problems with balance and reading, Bree is doing well and has relearned much of the information lost from her injury.

Sixteen-year-old JaVanesse Craig lived with cystic fibrosis for 10 years before she was properly diagnosed and treated. Despite her symptoms, the disease is very rare in African Americans and she had previously been diagnosed with asthma. Thanks to the doctors at Children’s Hospital, JaVanesse was properly diagnosed and treated. She now takes several medications to manage her symptoms and has a feeding tube, but is doing quite well. She is currently in tenth grade at Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe High School and hopes to become a pediatrician some day.

“These children are true miracles, and we are honored that they will represent Children’s Hospital and the many miracles that happen here every day,” said Ms. Taylor.

Children’s Miracle Network is an alliance of premier hospitals dedicated to helping children by raising funds and awareness for children’s hospitals across North America. As a Children’s Miracle Network hospital, T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital is able to provide a unique environment of healing for all children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay, officials said.