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Center for Rare Disease Therapy Patient Stories

Learn how families are finding help and hope through the expertise of the Center for Rare Disease Therapy at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Watch their stories below.

Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase II Deficiency (CPTII) – Center for Rare Disease Therapy

Jack Ruiz

Born with CPTII, Jack is thriving thanks to the care he received at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Jack's story

VLCAD Deficiency – Center for Rare Disease Therapy

Andrew Cranshaw

Andrew was diagnosed with very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, a fatty acid oxidation disorder. His family sought out the expertise of the Center for Rare Disease Therapy.

Read Andrew's story

Phenylketonuria (PKU) - Center for Rare Disease Therapy

Mindy Nicholas taking a mirror selfie in a blue and green tye-dye shirt

Mindy suffered from Phenylketonuria (PKU). Read about the success of her procedure and experience at UPMC Children's Hospital Pittsburgh.

Read Mindy's story

GM3 Synthase Deficiency – Center for Rare Disease Therapy

Connor Mast | UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Connor suffered from GM3 Synthase Deficiency. Read more about her experience with cord blood transplant at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Connor's story

Osteogenesis Imperfecta - Patient Story

Niko Watson

Niko suffered from Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Read more about his experience and success of his procedure at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Niko's story

CANDLE Syndrome – Center for Rare Disease Therapy

Isaac Hess

Isaac suffered from Chronic Atypical Neutrophilic Dermatosis with Lipodystrophy and Elevated Temperature syndrome. Read more about his experience and success of his procedure at UPMC Children's.

Read Isaac's story

PI3K-delta syndrome – Center for Rare Disease Therapy

Randall Simmons

Randall suffered from PI3K-delta syndrome. Read more about his experience and success of his procedure at UPMC Children's.

Read Randall's story

Trifunctional Protein (TFP) Deficiency – Center for Rare Disease Therapy

Reagan Singer

Reagan suffered from Trifunctional Protein (TFP) Deficiency. Read more about her experience and success of her procedure at UPMC.

Read Reagan's story

Krabbe Disease – International Patients

Learn more about Levi's experience with Krabbe Disease at Children's Hospital.

Levi suffered from Krabbe Disease. His family traveled from his home in Australia to receive care at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Learn more about his care.

Read Levi's story

Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome – Center for Rare Disease

Learn more about Grace's experience with Nephrotic Syndrome at Children's Hospital.

Grace suffered from Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome. Read about the success of her procedure and experience at UPMC.

Read Grace's story

Combined Immune Deficiency – Center for Rare Disease

Learn more about Ally's experience with Combined Immune Deficiency at Children's Hospital.

Ally suffered from Combined Immune Deficiency. Read more about the success of her procedure and experience at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Ally's story

Maple Syrup Urine Disease – Center for Rare Disease

Learn more about Leah's experience with Maple Syrup Urine Disease at Children's Hospital.

Leah suffered from Maple Syrup Urine Disease. Read about her experience at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Leah's story

Glycogen Storage Disease – Center for Rare Disease

Learn more about Joshua's experience with Glycogen Storage Disease at Children's Hospital.

Joshua suffered from Glycogen Storage Disease. Read more about the success of his procedure at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Read Joshua's story

Krabbe Disease – Center for Rare Disease

Learn more about Lily's experience with Krabbe Disease at Children's Hospital.

Lily suffered from Krabbe Disease. Read about the success of her procedure and experience at UPMC Children's Hospital Pittsburgh.

Read Lily's story