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Faith Over Fear - Aiden's Transplant Journey, 160 E Erie Ave, Philadelphia, PA (2026)

02/14/2026

On this National Organ Donor Day, my heart feels fuller than I ever thought possible.

May 2025 will forever be etched into our family’s story as the month that changed everything — the month Aiden received his life-saving kidney transplant. It wasn’t just a surgery. It wasn’t just a procedure marked on a calendar. It was the moment fear loosened its grip. It was the moment hope became tangible. It was the beginning of Aiden’s second chance at life.

This journey has always been about more than medicine. It has been about people — extraordinary people whose courage and compassion carried us through the darkest days.

Early in this process, when uncertainty felt overwhelming, one remarkable woman stepped forward: Cheyann Crisci. Cheyann is the embodiment of strength wrapped in kindness. When she offered to be Aiden’s living donor, she did so with open hands and an open heart. She was willing to endure testing, appointments, risks, and the emotional weight of the unknown simply because she wanted to help.

That kind of courage humbles you. That kind of compassion changes you.

Though circumstances ultimately led to a different donor being identified, Cheyann and her family became woven into our lives in a permanent way. You cannot share a journey like this and walk away unchanged. She showed us what selflessness looks like in action. She reminded us that goodness is real and that love sometimes shows up in the form of someone saying, “I’m here. I will do this for you.” For that, we will always carry deep gratitude in our hearts.

And then came the call from Temple University. They had found another donor.

An anonymous angel.

Someone who stepped forward quietly, without recognition, without applause, without ever knowing us personally — and gave Aiden the greatest gift imaginable.

To the person who gave Aiden his kidney:

There are no words that feel big enough. No thank you that feels adequate. You changed our son’s life. You changed our family’s life. You lifted a weight we had been carrying for so long that we forgot what it felt like to breathe without it.

Because of you, Aiden wakes up with strength in his body. Because of you, his laughter comes easier. Because of you, his future is wide open again — filled with possibilities instead of limitations. You may never see the milestones you made possible. You may never witness the quiet moments of relief we feel at each successful lab result. You may never hear the prayers of gratitude spoken for you in our home.

But please know this: you are loved. You are honored. You are thought of with overwhelming gratitude every single day.

Your selflessness is something we will carry with us forever. We will tell Aiden, again and again, about the extraordinary human being who chose to give so that he could live fully. Your courage is now part of his story. Your generosity flows through him. In the most literal and beautiful way, you are part of our family’s heartbeat.

We are still amazed. Still humbled. Still in awe that someone we may never meet would make such a profound sacrifice simply to help another human being live.

On this National Organ Donor Day, we celebrate you. We celebrate Cheyann. We celebrate every living donor who bravely steps forward and every individual who chooses to become a designated deceased organ donor.

Organ donation is not just a checkbox on a form. It is the gift of birthdays, holidays, graduations, and ordinary days that become extraordinary simply because they are lived. It is the gift of time — the most precious gift of all.

If you are considering becoming a living organ donor, know that your courage could transform a family’s entire future. If you have not yet registered as a deceased organ donor, please consider doing so. One decision can save a life. One act can ripple across generations.

We are living proof.

Because of Cheyann’s willingness.
Because of our anonymous angel’s selfless gift.
Because of the medical teams who made it possible.

Aiden has a second chance.

Today, we celebrate life.
We celebrate generosity.
We celebrate the quiet heroes among us.

And most of all, we celebrate a little boy thriving in May 2025 — strong, resilient, and full of possibility — because someone chose to give the ultimate gift.

From the depths of our hearts: thank you. You didn’t just save our son’s life.

You gave him his future.

01/28/2026

Today is National Gift of the Ladybug Day. National Gift of the Ladybug Day invites us to recognize the strength, courage, and resilience of children living with critical and chronic illnesses, as well as the families who walk beside them through every challenge.

The ladybug—small, bright, and resilient—has come to symbolize hope and perseverance. Its presence reminds us that even in the hardest seasons, moments of beauty and meaning still emerge. For children like Aiden, who has lived with kidney disease from a young age, life has been shaped by hospital visits, medical procedures, limitations others may never see, and the ongoing uncertainty that comes with chronic illness.

Growing up with kidney disease meant Aiden faced struggles far beyond his years—missed milestones, physical exhaustion, and the emotional weight of being different from his peers. Yet within those struggles grew remarkable strength. Like so many children with chronic illnesses, Aiden learned patience, resilience, and courage not by choice, but by necessity. His story reflects the quiet bravery found in countless children who endure more than most, yet continue to move forward with determination and heart.

This day also honors the families who support these children. Parents and caregivers navigate long nights, difficult decisions, and constant vigilance, often carrying their worries silently while advocating fiercely for their child. Their love is steady, their strength extraordinary, and their journey deserving of recognition and compassion.

National Gift of the Ladybug Day is more than awareness—it is a call to empathy and action. It reminds us that small gestures matter. A kind word, a thoughtful gift, a moment of understanding, or continued support can mean everything to a child or family facing medical challenges. Like the ladybug itself, small acts can bring great comfort and hope.

Above all, this day affirms that every child’s life has value, meaning, and worth—regardless of diagnosis or limitation. By honoring children like Aiden and acknowledging their struggles and strength, we celebrate not only survival, but courage, resilience, and the power of compassion.

On this National Gift of the Ladybug Day, may we choose kindness, stand with families facing childhood illness, and remember that even the smallest symbols can carry profound hope.

12/23/2025

On December 23, 1954, Dr. Joseph E. Murray and his surgical team at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston performed what would become one of medicine’s most transformative breakthroughs: the first successful human kidney transplant. In that historic operation, a healthy kidney was donated by Ronald Herrick and surgically implanted into his identical twin brother Richard, who was dying from end-stage renal failure. The surgery lasted approximately five and a half hours and marked the first time a transplanted organ functioned successfully in a human recipient. Richard lived for another eight years with the graft before passing from unrelated causes — a profound milestone in demonstrating that organ transplantation could indeed save lives.

This landmark moment did more than save one life; it opened a new frontier in medicine. Murray’s success disproved the longstanding belief that immune rejection made organ transplant impossible. It laid the groundwork for immunosuppressive therapy, organ donation frameworks, and surgical protocols that would evolve over the ensuing decades. For his pioneering work, Murray received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990, recognizing how his contributions transformed the treatment of organ failure.

What Dr. Murray and his colleagues began in 1954 has blossomed into a medical standard of care that literally saves tens of thousands of lives annually.

• In the United States alone, over 27,000 kidney transplants were performed in 2023 — a record number — making kidney transplantation the most common solid organ transplant by far.

• Globally, there were over 111,000 kidney transplants in 2023, with continued growth in many regions as surgical techniques and donor programs expand.

These are not merely numbers, but individual lives restored: people freed from the daily drain of dialysis, children who grow up healthy, parents who can watch their families flourish, and adults who return to full participation in work and community. Every one of these transplants stands on the shoulders of that first operation in 1954.

For families facing renal failure today, Dr. Murray’s work is not just history — it is personal.

When Aiden received his kidney transplant earlier this year, he became part of a legacy that began with Richard and Ronald Herrick. Without that first successful operation and the worldwide commitment to building transplant science, it’s unlikely that Aiden’s transplant — or the thousands like his each year — would have been possible. Modern transplant medicine, with refined surgical approaches, sophisticated immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection, and meticulous donor-recipient matching, evolved directly from the foundation laid in Boston in 1954. The survival rates and quality of life improvements we see now reflect decades of clinical progress built on that pivotal first success.

It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have had their lives extended and enriched through organ transplantation since Dr. Murray’s first operation. While some early figures cited more than 400,000 lives saved by transplant procedures by the early 2000s, the ongoing growth in transplant volume since then means that today’s cumulative impact is far larger, encompassing the countless lives touched by kidney, heart, liver, and other organ transplants.

Every successful transplant carries echoes of that first one — the courage of donors and recipients, the commitment of surgical teams, and the relentless pursuit of a medical breakthrough that has become a cornerstone of modern medicine.

On this 71st anniversary, we honor Dr. Murray, his team, and all the innovators who continued their work. We remember how one brave decision in Boston reshaped what medicine could do, turning hope into reality for millions. And we celebrate how that legacy made Aiden’s life-giving surgery possible — a testament to human ingenuity, compassion, and the enduring value of scientific progress.

12/11/2025

Update on Aiden’s Kidney Transplant Journey

We would like to share an important update on Aiden’s continued recovery and progress following his kidney transplant. Recently, Aiden underwent a scheduled kidney biopsy—one of the essential checkpoints in monitoring the health and stability of a transplanted organ. We have just received the results, and we are grateful to report several pieces of encouraging news. The biopsy showed no signs of rejection and no evidence that his underlying disease is reappearing. These two findings are tremendous blessings and answered prayers, especially given the challenges Aiden has faced throughout this long journey.

However, the biopsy also revealed an area of concern: microvascular inflammation. Although not a sign of rejection by itself, this condition requires careful attention and treatment to ensure the long-term health of his transplanted kidney.

Microvascular inflammation refers to irritation and immune activity within the tiny blood vessels of the transplanted kidney. These microvessels are crucial for delivering oxygen and nutrients that allow the kidney to function. When the immune system detects something unusual—or becomes overly activated—it can mistakenly target these microscopic blood vessels. If microvascular inflammation is left untreated, the ongoing injury can gradually damage the kidney’s ability to function properly. Over time, the continued stress on these small vessels may escalate into more severe forms of immune response, ultimately increasing the risk of chronic rejection or a decline in transplant health.

To prevent this, Aiden’s medical team has created a proactive and intensive treatment plan. For the next few months, he will undergo infusions at the hospital. This is a critical step toward preserving the gift of life that his transplant represents. After completing this course of treatment, Aiden will undergo another biopsy in 4 to 6 months to assess how well the inflammation has responded to the therapy and to ensure his kidney remains stable and healthy.

Throughout all of this, our family continues to place our trust in God’s mercy and healing. We pray daily to St. Padre Pio, asking for his intercession in God’s Heavenly Court—begging for continued protection, strength, and complete healing for Aiden. We know that Aiden’s progress is not only shaped by medical care but also lifted by the countless prayers offered for him.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continued prayers, love, and support. Your compassion sustains our family during these long and difficult months, and your faith strengthens ours. We remain hopeful, grateful, and steadfast as Aiden continues his journey toward full restoration of health.

Merry Christmas and have a blessed 2026!

The Hess Family

12/01/2025

Yesterday, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children marked 150 years of service to Philadelphia’s children and families — a century and a half of bedside compassion, clinical innovation, and steady presence in our community. From its modest beginnings on November 30, 1875, as a charitable ambulatory pediatric clinic to the modern, full-service pediatric center at 160 East Erie Avenue, St. Christopher’s has grown with a constant vision: to place the needs of children first and to shepherd families through some of life’s most difficult moments.

The story of St. Christopher’s is a story of milestones: pioneering child-life and play therapy programs, cutting-edge neonatal and surgical advances, and early leadership in pediatric transplant and trauma care. Those milestones — measurable achievements in medicine and quiet acts of daily care — are woven into the hospital’s mission and into the lives of thousands of families across the region. As the hospital celebrates this sesquicentennial, it also looks toward the next 150 years with a renewed commitment to equity, research, and training the next generation of pediatric clinicians.

On a personal note: for our family, St. Christopher’s was not just an institution — it was where our son’s illness was recognized and treated with skill, patience, and humanity. When Aiden was first diagnosed, we were met by clinicians whose competence and compassion made an unbearable situation bearable. In particular we will always be grateful for Dr. Jonathan “Bowtie” Heiliczer, Michael Kinney, CRNP, and the entire team at St. Chris’s who cared for Aiden with such expertise and tenderness. Their careful work, clear communication, and steady presence were gifts to our family in a time of fear and uncertainty. (This gratitude comes from our family’s experience and the many ways the staff supported Aiden’s care.)

Celebrating 150 years is more than marking a date on the calendar; it is an invitation to remember every clinician, nurse, therapist, technician, volunteer, and volunteer family who has shaped the hospital’s character. It is a chance to thank those who have trained here and gone on to serve children across the nation, and to support the hospital’s work to remain a lifeline for vulnerable children in North Philadelphia and beyond. The recent anniversary commemorations — pep rallies, community events, fundraising efforts, and recognition of staff — have rightly centered the stories of patients and caregivers as the true heart of St. Christopher’s.

As we honor this milestone, we give thanks. We pray for the continued health and safety of the children served within those walls, for strength and encouragement for the hospital’s staff, and for wisdom for the leaders who will guide St. Christopher’s into the future. May this institution continue to be a place where science and mercy meet — where children are healed, families are supported, and hope is restored.

A short prayer of thanksgiving -

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the gift of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and for 150 years of compassionate care. Bless the physicians, nurses, staff, volunteers, and all who labor there. Renew their strength, deepen their compassion, and guide their hands. Comfort the children and families who come seeking help; grant healing where it is needed and peace where it is sought. May St. Christopher’s continue to be a beacon of hope for generations to come. Amen.

11/28/2025

In 2011, during Aiden’s Make-A-Wish trip, our family stepped into one of the most extraordinary places on earth—Give Kids the World Village and its unforgettable Castle of Miracles. Even now, years later, the memory feels almost heavenly, as though we were given a glimpse of the joy and compassion God has for His children.

The Castle of Miracles wasn’t just a building; it was a sanctuary of hope. Every detail—from the glowing stars on the ceiling bearing the names of brave Wish children, to the gentle whimsy woven into every corner—spoke of love, generosity, and the belief that every child deserves to experience pure wonder. It was a place where Aiden wasn’t defined by illness, but by the light in his eyes, the laughter in his voice, and the courage that has always lived in his heart.

Give Kids the World is more than a village; it is a living testament to what can happen when people come together to share kindness without limit. It’s a reminder that miracles don’t always look the way we expect—they look like volunteers serving with joy, like families finding rest in the midst of hardship, and like a child receiving a week where their only job is to simply be a kid.

Our time there in 2011 remains one of the greatest blessings we’ve ever received. And to this day, when I think of the Castle of Miracles, I remember not just the magic of that place, but the hope it restored within our family. It is a place where faith, love, and compassion shine brightly—where every star carries a story, and every story is a miracle of its own.

May God bless the hands and hearts who continue to make such miracles possible, and may the memory of that sacred week always remind us that joy—true, radiant joy—is a gift worth sharing with the world.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we gather today in gratitude, our hearts are especially full. This past year has been one of the most challenging and transformative seasons of our lives. Walking through everything leading up to Aiden’s transplant, the long days and nights during his surgery, the uncertainties of post-op recovery, and the ongoing journey since—none of it has been easy. Yet in every moment, we were never alone.

To our family and friends: thank you. Your compassion, your prayers, and your unwavering support have carried us in ways we could never fully express. You have walked beside Aiden and our entire family, holding us up when the nights felt darkest and the path felt overwhelming. Your messages, visits, generosity, and constant presence have been rays of light that reminded us that hope is always stronger than fear.

Aiden’s strength is incredible, but the strength you’ve poured into us has been just as powerful. We are humbled, grateful, and deeply blessed by each of you.

On this Thanksgiving, please know that our gratitude for you is profound and enduring. Thank you for loving our family so well, for believing with us, and for continuing to walk this journey hand in hand.

From our hearts to yours: we are so very thankful for you.

Wishing you a peaceful, joy-filled, and blessed Thanksgiving.

11/21/2025

Over the years, our family has relyed on Saint Padre Pio’s intercession for Aiden and his health. Few realize that Saint Pio of Pietrelcina—so renowned for the miracles worked through his prayers—was himself once the beneficiary of a heavenly cure.

In April of 1959, Padre Pio lay gravely ill. Stricken with pleurisy, bronchial pneumonia, and a cancerous tumor that demanded chemotherapy, he was confined to bed for nine long months. The beloved friar could no longer celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or hear confessions. Whispers spread throughout Italy that Padre Pio’s earthly life was drawing to a close.

That same year, the Pilgrim Virgin statue of Our Lady of Fatima was brought to Italy for the Peregrinatio Mariae. Though originally scheduled to visit only a few major cities, a special exception was made so the Blessed Mother might pass through San Giovanni Rotondo—so great was the love of the faithful for Padre Pio, and so tender Our Lady’s care for her suffering son.

On August 5th, though extremely weak, Padre Pio was assisted to the sacristy so that he might venerate the holy statue of the Mother of God.

The following day, as the helicopter carrying Our Lady’s image lifted from the monastery grounds, it circled three times in farewell. At that moment, Padre Pio’s heart broke open in a cry of filial pleading:

“Madonnina! Since you came to Italy I have been struck down by illness. Now that you are leaving… will you leave me like this?”

What happened next can only be described as merciful intervention. The pilot, who later testified that he felt mysteriously compelled, turned the helicopter back toward the monastery one final time.

As the Blessed Mother passed once more over San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio suddenly trembled. Grace flooded him. He shouted aloud:

“I am healed!”

Doctors soon confirmed what Heaven had wrought: the cancerous tumor had vanished completely. Padre Pio returned swiftly to his priestly labors—hearing confessions, offering the Holy Mass, and interceding unceasingly for souls—bearing witness to the maternal love of Mary and the boundless mercy of God.

11/13/2025

Melissa had the extreme pleasure of presenting today at Temple Health’s 2025 Patient Summit - she gave a presentation on Aiden’s transplant journey from diagnosis to now focusing on community support and the constant love and prayers that we received from all of you. Thank you all for being in Aiden’s corner and being our constant light in the darkness!!!

11/10/2025

Family and Friends,

We humbly ask for your continued prayers for Aiden, who is on his journey of healing following his kidney transplant this past May. We give thanks to our loving God for bringing Aiden safely through the transplant surgery and for the precious gift of renewed life that has come through it.

Recently, through routine bloodwork, Aiden’s doctors discovered that his White Blood Cell count is extremely low—a condition likely caused by the medications he must take to prevent organ rejection, particularly tacrolimus. While these medicines are essential in protecting his new kidney, they also suppress his immune system and reduce his body’s ability to produce the white blood cells needed to fight infection.

In response, Aiden is scheduled to receive two infusions intended to help increase his White Blood Cell production and restore his strength. We pray that these treatments will be effective, that his numbers will rise, and that his body will remain strong and protected from illness during this vulnerable time.

In addition and unrelated, Aiden is scheduled for a Kidney Biopsy on December 9 to get a bird’s eye look at the new organ to check for its strength and vitality!

Thank you for your constant prayers and support!

St. Padre Pio, Pray for us!

The Hess Family

10/29/2025

Congratulations to Aiden Hess on his purchase of his new truck from Koch Ford/Toyota! Good luck with your new ride and may Saint Christopher protect you on your journeys!

Faith Over Fear - Aiden's Transplant Journey

02/14/2026

01/28/2026

12/23/2025

12/11/2025

12/01/2025

11/28/2025

11/27/2025

11/21/2025

11/13/2025

11/10/2025

10/29/2025

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