CLEVELAND – Being a new mom is especially sweet for Brittney Rinella of Willowick, Ohio. Four years ago, breast cancer almost derailed her plans to start a family. “I was terrified; not only do I have to deal with this diagnosis at 26, but now I have to worry about possibly not having children, so … Read More

CLEVELAND – A talented soccer and basketball player, 10-year-old Sophia Pecjak had been complaining of pains in her chest and a rapid heartbeat. Trips to her pediatrician and the emergency room revealed she had likely contracted a form of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle usually caused by a viral infection, such as influenza. Pecjak … Read More

CLEVELAND – Stephen Sroka, 76, knows how to captivate an audience. A public speaker and adjunct assistant professor, Sroka, devotes his time to teaching others about the ‘Power of One’ – how one person can make a difference. But, after suffering from sudden cardiac arrest during a speaking event, Sroka was on a medical transport flight … Read More

CLEVELAND – A nagging reaction to a suspected bug bite is what initially sent Mike Balla, 46, of Rocky River, Ohio to seek emergency care. Swollen, red and painful, the top of Balla’s foot kept getting worse, despite two rounds of antibiotics from previous visits to an urgent care facility and his family doctor. But what … Read More

CLEVELAND – In June 2017, 2-year-old Simon McKenzie was a bubbly toddler who could count to 20 and loved to sing nursery rhymes. But, by September of that same year, his parents, Mark McKenzie and Autumn Ziemba, noticed Simon had become much quieter. He rarely interacted with other children, and barely acknowledged his beloved grandparents when … Read More

CLEVELAND – When Rachel Parker, 39, a marathon runner, learned she needed to have a liver tumor removed, she was concerned about how long her recovery would keep her from training. Diagnosed with perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasm (PEComa) – a rare and usually benign tumor which forms in the soft tissue of the stomach, intestines, lungs … Read More

Download Text Web Story CLEVELAND – B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is a rare form of cancer that strikes only about 6,000 Americans annually. When Jud Logan, 60, was diagnosed with ALL in 2019, the four-time Olympic athlete, and longtime track and field head coach for Ashland University was undaunted. “I’m built for this,” said Logan. “If anybody … Read More

Download Text Web Story CLEVELAND – When Linda Dixon showed up at the doctor’s office with red splotches on her face, arms, and torso, she was diagnosed with sunburn. However, Dixon, who resides in southwest Ohio, had not recently spent a lot of time in the sun. She continued to search for a second opinion, meanwhile … Read More

CLEVELAND – At just 15 years old, Ajit Tolani noticed one day while showering that his hand was turning blue. Soon after, doctors near his home in India diagnosed him with scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that can cause skin and other parts of the body to thicken and harden. Despite the diagnosis, his condition remained stable … Read More

Download Text Web Story CLEVELAND – At 21 weeks pregnant, Adrienne Mueller, was looking forward to welcoming another child to her growing family. But, at a normal check-in with her obstetrician, Mueller and her husband, Bo, learned their baby boy had a severe heart defect. A sonogram revealed the baby had a complete heart block and hydrops … Read More