Faith – Age 9

Faith Bohrer has a champion spirit that has allowed the 9-year-old to tackle the tough diagnosis of neurofibromatosis – a rare disease that can cause tumors to grow on the skin and brain. When Faith was 5 years old, doctors discovered she had an inoperable brain tumor that required sixty weeks of chemotherapy. At age 8, tests revealed her tumor had progressed, and Faith is again receiving chemotherapy at CHKD. In all, Faith has made more than 80 visits to CHKD’s main hospital. Treatment for Faith’s condition has significantly affected her motor skills, sight, speech and ability to swallow, but not her spunky personality or positive attitude. Despite being legally blind, Faith loves to read and draw. She created the artwork on this plaque featuring her favorite companion, Polka Dot. She and Polka Dot love CHKD and have developed special friendships with other patients and hospital staff members. When asked what she would say to another kid who needs care from CHKD, Faith doesn’t hesitate. “It’s going to be alright,” she says. “It may sound scary, but this really is the best hospital.” Her mother, Karen, agrees. “CHKD gives you every advantage to come out on top of it,” says Karen.