Meet Our Kids
Here are the stories of just a few of the children whose lives were changed by research and care at the University of Minnesota.
- Bridget Cisneros
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For a 2-year-old, Bridget Cisneros is very good at singing the “Minnesota Rouser.” And though she may not have made the connection yet, she has excellent reasons to cheer for the University of Minnesota: The U played a huge role in helping Bridget find the health she needs not only to sing, but to dance, poke her big sister, and play. More...
- Joe Pankey
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The first few months of life were tough for Joe Pankey. He was born with a heart valve abnormality, which created a heart murmur. He also had a severe case of Scimitar syndrome, a rare congenital heart defect misdirecting blood flow in his heart. An obstruction in his veins further complicated his case. Joe needed heart surgery. More...
- Marc Sosin
- The day 9-year-old Marc hobbled home from the bus stop while leaning on his little brother, life changed dramatically at the Sosin house. His ankle appeared hugely swollen and his parents knew then that something wasn’t right.“We’re four years into this,” says Liz Sosin about her son’s ongoing struggle with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), a rare inflammatory disorder affecting an estimated one in a million children. There’s no known cure. More...
- Greta Perske
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Greta Perske usually played the full 90 minutes of each soccer game, coming out to rest only at halftime. But in the summer of 2006, her soccer coach noticed she was having breathing trouble. That seemed odd to her parents, Joe and Jan Perske of Sartell, Minn. Greta was a three-sport athlete who never had trouble keeping up. More...
- Pakou Xiong
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Pakou Xiong is an eighth grader at the Nellie Stone Johnson Middle School in North Minneapolis, one of the city’s largest public schools, where she is learning much more than the standard curriculum. Through a University program, Pakou is standing out as a leader. She is part of Lead Peace, a pilot program focused on preventing violence, creating healthy relationships, and encouraging community service among adolescents. She is one of the program’s ambassadors, serving as a role model to fellow students. More...
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