BREAKING THROUGH with Madeline Bell

Elijah’s Story: Navigating a Medical Mystery

From the time Elijah was a baby, he had many painful symptoms – and no one could determine what was wrong. But when Elijah was a toddler, his family finally found answers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In this episode of The Breakthrough Chronicles, 12-year-old Elijah and his parents talk to Madeline about how teams at CHOP transformed his health – and his life.

Tenlee’s Story: Thriving After a Heart Transplant

Tenlee was born with a rare heart condition and had a heart transplant at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia when she was just 5 months old. And though she’s doing well today, her journey has been very challenging. In this episode of The Breakthrough Chronicles, Tenlee’s parents, Jami and Nick, speak with Madeline about the challenges Tenlee has overcome – and how their family’s experience at CHOP changed their lives.

Kareem’s Story: Advocating for Trauma-Informed Care

While growing up in West Philadelphia, Kareem saw firsthand the devastating impact trauma and violence can have on children. In this episode of The Breakthrough Chronicles, he and Madeline discuss the sport that changed his life – and the role that hospitals like Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have to play in helping children cope with trauma.

Hannah’s Story: Moving Beyond Blindness

When Hannah was a baby, she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease that usually leaves patients completely blind. But Hannah’s story turned out differently thanks to an incredible gene therapy developed at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine. In this episode of The Breakthrough Chronicles, 11-year-old Hannah and her mom, Amy, share their family’s inspiring story with Madeline – and talk about how this breakthrough treatment changed Hannah’s life.

Emily’s Story: Celebrating 10 Years Cancer Free

Emily was just 6 years old when she received CAR T cell immunotherapy for relapsed leukemia at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Emily was the very first child to receive this groundbreaking treatment – and in 2022, she celebrated 10 years cancer free. In this episode of The Breakthrough Chronicles, Emily and her father, Tom, speak with Madeline about what it’s like to be part of a medical breakthrough – and share what Emily’s life is like today.

Special Bonus Episode: Addy and Lily’s Separation Story

When Addy and Lily Altobelli were born in CHOP’s Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit, they needed highly specialized care because they were conjoined – their bodies were connected at the chest wall, diaphragm and liver. After spending almost a year in intensive care at CHOP, they were separated during a 10-hour surgery – and today, they’re thriving. Their parents, Dom and Maggie, join Madeline to share their daughters’ incredible story.

Incredible stories like Addy and Lily's would not be possible without continued advancement by dedicated researchers and clinicians at CHOP and generous philanthropic support from partners like you. Click here to donate.

“Do What You Love”: Finding Medicines for Rare Diseases

Hematologist and oncologist Denise Adams, MD, specializes in treating vascular anomalies, which occur when arteries, capillaries, veins or lymphatic vessels fail to develop correctly. She joins Madeline to discuss what the future holds for her field – and the surprising advice that inspired her to move forward in her career.  

“I’ve Always Loved to Ask Why”: The Power of Mitochondrial Medicine

Our mitochondria make the energy that keeps us alive. Geneticist Marni Falk, MD, joins Madeline to discuss what happens when our mitochondria don’t work properly, the breakthroughs she and her team are making for patients with mitochondrial disease, and the importance of having a strong vision for your career.

“There Was an Unmet Need”: Breakthroughs in Endocrinology

While growing up in Panama, Diva DeLeón-Crutchlow, MD, MSCE, always wanted to understand how things worked. She speaks to Madeline about how her curiosity led her to pursue a career in medicine – and the work she’s doing today to develop new treatments for congenital hyperinsulinism and diabetes.

“We Have So Many Spine-Tingling Moments”: Treating Birth Defects Before Birth

Pediatric and fetal surgeon Holly Hedrick, MD, has made life-changing breakthroughs for children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and other rare birth defects. She joins Madeline to talk about the advice her mentors shared with her along the way – and the children who continue to inspire her every day.