2017 Miracle Kid Emma Shaffer

Emma Shaffer, 10, of Bloomsburg, PA, was born with CHARGE syndrome, which is a cluster congenital defects affecting the heart, ears, eyes, nasal passages and more. Emma required multidisciplinary care and several surgeries to repair her heart defects. She had several long hospital stays for complex procedures, with serious complications that became life-or-death battles.

Thanks to her amazing family and innovative procedures, Emma is doing very well and recently had her hearing greatly improved.

State-of-the-art machines used to test Emma’s Heart function, including EKG and echocardiogram equipment, were provided by donations to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger. Donations were also used for the creation of the pediatric catheterization lab at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, where Emma was routinely examined.

For more information on Emma, visit our hospital site.