Children's of Mississippi Kid Captain of the Week: Christopher Pena, Jr.
September 08, 2016 | Football
Kid Captain is a partnership between Children's of Mississippi and the Mississippi State Bulldogs to honor pediatric patients and celebrate their inspirational stories. Their strength and determination reminds us how truly courageous these young people are. We are pleased to introduce this week's Children's of Kid Captain!
Christopher Pena, Jr. – Richland, MS
His parents call him their "miracle baby." Born with a congenital heart defect called dilated non-compacted cardiomyopathy, Christopher was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and recommended for a heart transplant. Even with a new heart, Christopher's odds of survival were not very good. His parents made the heart-wrenching decision to place their son in hospice with an expected lifespan of less than six months. It was there that Children's of Mississippi physicians discovered something unexpected – his heart was improving. Children's of Mississippi geneticists then determined the source of his heart condition, a rare multisensory disease called Barth Syndrome. While it's an unpredictable disease, his parents are optimistic about his future. They do indeed believe in miracles.
Children's of Mississippi is proud to have Christopher as the Kid Captain for this week's game.
About Children's of Mississippi
With Mississippi's only children's hospital plus clinics statewide, Children's of Mississippi is here for every Mississippi kid. Children's of Mississippi is a part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. To learn more, visit mississippikids.org.
Christopher Pena, Jr. – Richland, MS
His parents call him their "miracle baby." Born with a congenital heart defect called dilated non-compacted cardiomyopathy, Christopher was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and recommended for a heart transplant. Even with a new heart, Christopher's odds of survival were not very good. His parents made the heart-wrenching decision to place their son in hospice with an expected lifespan of less than six months. It was there that Children's of Mississippi physicians discovered something unexpected – his heart was improving. Children's of Mississippi geneticists then determined the source of his heart condition, a rare multisensory disease called Barth Syndrome. While it's an unpredictable disease, his parents are optimistic about his future. They do indeed believe in miracles.
Children's of Mississippi is proud to have Christopher as the Kid Captain for this week's game.
About Children's of Mississippi
With Mississippi's only children's hospital plus clinics statewide, Children's of Mississippi is here for every Mississippi kid. Children's of Mississippi is a part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. To learn more, visit mississippikids.org.
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