Emma Shaffer

Emma Shaffer, 10, of Bloomsburg, was born with CHARGE syndrome, which is a cluster of congenital defects affecting the heart, ears, eyes, nasal passages and more. Emma required multidisciplinary care and several surgeries to repair her heart defects.

Watch Emma's video.

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 her hearing has improved greatly.

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