Meet Patient Champion Joaquin!

Today is Joaquin’s 9th Birthday! Joaquin is one of our 2018 Corporate Partner Patient Champions. Please join us in wishing him a very happy birthday and keep reading to learn more about his story!

Joaquin’s first couple years of life were difficult, spent in and out of Nationwide Children’s Hospital with countless tests, surgeries and illnesses. Joaquin was born with Cleft Lip and Palate, a condition where a baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly or completely during pregnancy, occurring in approximately one in 700 babies.

Today, Joaquin’s Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate is hardly noticeable, thanks to the meticulous, intricate repair Dr. Pearson performed. Not only has Dr. Pearson’s repair restored function to Joaquin in his day-to-day life, but having a beautiful smile has helped him have confidence and quality of life – two things crucial to a child’s positive development.

Nationwide Children’s Cleft Lip and Palate Center’s treatment of children born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate begins at birth and continues into adulthood, when necessary. Surgical repair starts at early infancy, and secondary surgical procedures may be required throughout growth and development.

Joaquin’s mother, Rebecca, works at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and has been grateful to have her son treated here.

“I am blessed to work here and have my child treated by our world class staff. Everybody’s amazing,” Rebecca says.

Joaquin is energetic, fun-loving, can often be heard singing in the shower and is an avid Lego-builder. Sports are a big part of Joaquin’s life, and he especially excels at basketball and soccer.

Do you have a birthday coming up? Did you know you can dedicate your birthday to kids like Olivia through a special program called My Miracle Birthday? Celebrate your birthday and raise funds for your local CMN Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, by clicking here.