Echo Davis, Waianae, Hawaii

Animal-loving ten-year-old Echo was a long way from her Hawaiian home — visiting family in Berwick with her parents — when she began feeling sick with a headache. When the headache didn’t subside, they took her to the local hospital where she was transferred to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. Echo had spiked a fever, was showing signs of infection and respiratory distress. After initially testing negative for COVID-19, she showed symptoms of Multi-symptom inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C. This dangerous condition often stems from a previous COVID-19 exposure, and inflames the heart, lungs and other systems throughout the body. Echo was among the most severely ill kids in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Frank Maffei, MD, Chair of Pediatrics at Geisinger, decided the best course of action was to put her on a mechanical ventilator. Once she was no longer struggling to breathe, that seemed to help her turn the corner and begin healing.

Today, she’s back in Hawaii with her parents and animals and believe it or not, can’t wait to visit Pennsylvania again. Much of the equipment in the PICU, like the intubation equipment and ventilators, were provided with generous donations to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger. Philanthropic giving to CMN has also provided the Child Life team with toys and other distractions used during her hospital stay.