Brenna was born six weeks premature. The list of conditions she would contend with stretched longer than this sweet little baby girl. She was transferred from another hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to Nationwide Children’s NICU to be treated for potentially life-threatening Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). While there, she was also diagnosed with panhypopituitarism and heart defects – Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). She underwent heart surgery and two blood transfusions. She also received a feeding tube which she required for two years.

When Brenna was finally discharged home from Nationwide Children’s NICU 71 days later, she left with a heavy schedule of follow-up appointments with seven different specialists and therapists. Since then she has undergone 8 additional surgeries, including a recent brain surgery.

“I have always told everyone Nationwide Children’s Hospital saved my baby! They are amazing!” says Brenna’s mom, Carrie.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare networks providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease. We are committed to providing the highest quality care to all children and their families, regardless of ability to pay, and to ensuring that every child is able to reach their fullest potential.

And Brenna is certainly doing that. She enjoys making the most of every day listening to music, singing and creating art. “She has the biggest heart and is the most loving person! Brenna is by far the strongest person I know and a true fighter. She is the definition of inspiration,” adds Carrie.

Brenna is super excited about inspiring the marathon participants as they pass through her mile. She knows that they are helping to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital and kids like her here and everywhere. But there is more to the story. Nationwide Children’s is also the place where her mom spent many years receiving care for diabetes. From one generation to the next, Nationwide Children’s is there to help every child reach their fullest potential.

Support kids just like Brenna by fundraising as a Children’s Champion. Sign up at www.NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon.

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• Name: Brenna B.Brenna Burrell
• Condition(s): Prematurity
• Age at Treatment: 11 years
• Age Today: 09/23/200419 Years

Brenna was born six weeks premature. The list of conditions she would contend with stretched longer than this sweet little baby girl. She was transferred from another hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to Nationwide Children’s NICU to be treated for potentially life-threatening Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). While there, she was also diagnosed with panhypopituitarism and heart defects – Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). She underwent heart surgery and two blood transfusions. She also received a feeding tube which she required for two years.

When Brenna was finally discharged home from Nationwide Children’s NICU 71 days later, she left with a heavy schedule of follow-up appointments with seven different specialists and therapists. Since then she has undergone 8 additional surgeries, including a recent brain surgery.

“I have always told everyone Nationwide Children’s Hospital saved my baby! They are amazing!” says Brenna’s mom, Carrie.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare networks providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease. We are committed to providing the highest quality care to all children and their families, regardless of ability to pay, and to ensuring that every child is able to reach their fullest potential.

And Brenna is certainly doing that. She enjoys making the most of every day listening to music, singing and creating art. “She has the biggest heart and is the most loving person! Brenna is by far the strongest person I know and a true fighter. She is the definition of inspiration,” adds Carrie.

Brenna is super excited about inspiring the marathon participants as they pass through her mile. She knows that they are helping to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital and kids like her here and everywhere. But there is more to the story. Nationwide Children’s is also the place where her mom spent many years receiving care for diabetes. From one generation to the next, Nationwide Children’s is there to help every child reach their fullest potential.

Support kids just like Brenna by fundraising as a Children’s Champion. Sign up at www.NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon.