Cassidy, Jonah and Jeremiah hugging and Carmen

Patients inspire our work every day. They also motivated the launch of It Starts With Yes: The Campaign for Seattle Children’s because we see a day where we can say yes to hope, care and cure for all kids.

We are grateful to every It Starts With Yes Patient Ambassador for sharing their stories in a number of ways. Meet a few of our ambassadors below.

It Starts With Yes Patient Ambassadors

  • Meet Alex

    Autism blocked her ability to communicate until intensive speech therapy opened doors to new words and new worlds.

  • Meet Anna

    A schoolgirl with dwarfism can now reach for the stars after limb-lengthening surgery at Seattle Children’s doubles the length of her upper arms – and gives her greater independence. 

  • Meet Avery

    After a miracle surgery saved her from a deadly brain tumor, she was cancer-free but out of options if she needed future treatment. Now, a new immunotherapy trial gives kids with aggressive or recurring brain cancer another chance at life.

  • Meet Caleb

    An engaging first-grader with a fighting spirit finds his medical home at Seattle Children’s and lives his healthiest, most fulfilling life possible.

  • Meet Camille

    After her leukemia returned for a third time, a college student is on the road to recovery thanks to an immunotherapy trial and bone marrow transplant at Seattle Children’s – and her fighting spirit.

  • Meet Carmen

    A toddler moves from epilepsy to high school valedictorian – after a 10-hour brain surgery at Seattle Children’s frees her from daily seizures.

  • Meet Cassidy

    An aspiring Broadway star who uses music to navigate life’s ups and downs and recently wrote a song about her 41st surgery.

  • Meet Charlotte

    This boisterous toddler has a second chance at life thanks to open-heart surgery at the age of 4 months.

  • Meet Emmy

    This spirited preschooler battled and beat a deadly cancer thanks to expert clinical care and groundbreaking research.

  • Meet Erin

    A brave girl wise beyond her years beats cancer for the third time with the help of a game-changing treatment at Seattle Children’s.

  • Meet Jonah and Jeremiah

    Two bright boys being raised by their grandmother receive integrated primary care at Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic.

  • Meet Liesel

    She was so inspired after participating in a clinical trial, she is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering at Harvard College.

  • Meet Lillee

    This bright, active 4-year-old experienced hundreds of seizures a day until Seattle Children’s surgeons stopped them for good.

  • Meet Lincoln

    At 7 months old, a heart transplant saved his life – and Seattle Children’s doctors say he can pursue whatever his new, healthy heart desires.

  • Meet Luke

    An active boy always ready with a joke, you’d never guess he was born with a heart condition requiring lifelong care.

  • Meet Makenna

    A teen who takes lifelong medical hurdles in stride – and says thank you to Seattle Children’s by making a difference for other kids.

  • Meet Max and Beck

    Max survived a deadly brain cancer thanks to a cancer clinical trial, while his younger brother Beck is learning to live with the challenges of OCD and ADHD. Together with their family, they advocate for Seattle Children’s brain health initiatives.

  • Meet Saleea

    Since she was born, this 12-year-old has grappled with sickle cell disease, a life-threatening blood condition that requires constant treatment. It can be intense, but it’s no match for her winning attitude!

About It Starts With Yes

It Starts With Yes: The Campaign for Seattle Children’s is a bold initiative – $1 billion bold – to partner with our community and deliver on our shared vision to transform children’s health for generations to come. With your generous support, we can envision a day when we can say yes to hope, care and cure for every child. Donate today.