Please join us in celebrating Sweeeeeet Carooooline on her inspiring journey! Born eight weeks early on May 9, 2020, Caroline entered the world with Down syndrome and complex medical needs. When a heart defect began affecting her growth, she was transferred to our Children’s Wisconsin Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for specialized care. After heart surgery and receiving a feeding tube, this little fighter finally went home after spending her first three months in the hospital. Today, Caroline receives comprehensive care from an incredible team of Children’s Wisconsin specialists in Cardiology, Pulmonology, ENT, Ophthalmology and several therapy departments. The Complex Care Program coordinates all her medical needs in one seamless approach. Our Child Life team has also been a big part of Caroline’s journey, helping her understand different surgeries and procedures in an easy-to-understand and kid-friendly way. Four years later, Caroline continues to defy expectations and is a bright, shining light! Donate today for the 27th annual 96.5 WKLH Miracle Marathon sponsored by Mars Family Foundation to provide life-changing care for kids and families like Caroline: childrenswi.org/MiracleMarathon Thank you to our Miracles Stories Sponsor, Bobby's Bar Great Place Good Times, for making all of today’s incredible stories – just like Caroline's – possible. (fb)

From gasping for breath to gliding across international ice rinks, 16-year-old Koko has earned her title as Miracle Marathon gold champion, presented by Sean Mars, founder of Mars Family Foundation and proud volunteer at Children’s Wisconsin! Diagnosed with severe asthma at age 7, Koko struggled to complete even a soccer game. After seeing countless doctors while her symptoms worsened, she discovered figure skating and refused to surrender her athletic dreams. Koko was referred to Joshua Steinberg, MD, an Allergist/Immunologist in the Asthma Plus Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin, who found the right treatment that transformed her life. Now, Koko rarely needs her inhaler. She competes at elite levels with Team USA, traveling internationally while balancing high school academics. We are committed to keeping kids healthy so they can do what they love. For Koko, that means keeping her asthma under control so she can keep chasing her dreams on the ice. Donate today for the 27th annual WKLH Miracle Marathon sponsored by Mars Family Foundation: childrenswi.org/MiracleMarathon Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Mars Family Foundation, for making the 96.5 WKLH Miracle Marathon possible. Mars Family Foundation is a support system for charities and uses its network, resources and experience to coach them towards sustainability and success. In addition to supporting Children’s, Mars Family Foundation helps hundreds of other non-profits through their new, free CharityEZ solution (charityez.org). (fb)