Лорен, 16 настай, Emerald Hills

For Lauren, a 16-year-old high school sophomore, lacrosse has always been more than just a sport—it’s a passion. When Lauren and her family set off for a spring break trip to Palm Springs, California, her lacrosse stick was the first item packed. The goal was simple: practice whenever she could, balancing time between her brother Carter’s college visits. What Lauren didn’t expect was that this trip would change her life forever. 

“I’ve played other sports, but lacrosse has always been my favorite since the day I started,” Lauren says. “It was devastating to learn I couldn’t play anymore.” 

A Life-Altering Diagnosis 

After arriving in Palm Springs, Lauren began experiencing strange symptoms—persistent headaches, nausea, and difficulty with basic tasks like saying her ABCs. Her parents rushed her to a local emergency room, where a CT scan revealed a brain bleed. Hours later, they were on their way to a renowned brain hospital in Loma Linda, where the family received the shocking diagnosis: arteriovenous malformation (AVM). 

AVM is a rare condition where tangled blood vessels form in the brain before birth. These tangles disrupt normal blood flow, creating a risk of brain bleeds, brain damage, and even death. The condition often goes undetected until a massive rupture occurs, making Lauren’s early diagnosis nothing short of miraculous. 

“In hindsight, the discovery was a blessing, but at the time it was completely overwhelming,” says Lauren’s mother, Jenni. “We were told that surgery was the only definitive cure, but it wasn’t clear if Lauren could be operated on because of the AVM’s size and location.” 

Hope Through Collaboration and Generosity 

Though Lauren’s diagnosis was serious, her family was fortunate to have access to world-class treatment at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. Your donations directly impacted Lauren’s journey and her ability to receive a second opinion from two of the nation’s leading neurosurgeons: Cormac Maher, MD, FAANS, FAAP, FACS, and Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD. 

Thanks to donors like you, Packard Children’s Hospital is home to advanced neurosurgery technologies and highly skilled experts. Lauren received critical imaging and pre-surgery preparation that helped her doctors plan a complex, high-risk surgery with a level of precision that would have been impossible otherwise. 

“I’ve never been so grateful to have access to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, one of the best children’s hospitals in the world,” says Jenni. “We are remarkably lucky that the two leading neurosurgeons specializing in AVMs, Dr. Maher and Dr. Steinberg, practice there and were willing and confident to take on Lauren’s case.” 

A Complex Surgery with Life-Changing Results 

When Lauren and her family arrived at Packard Children’s, Dr. Maher and Dr. Steinberg immediately got to work. After several MRIs and two procedures to block blood flow to the AVM, the team decided the best course of action was surgery. With the help of 3D surgical navigation and tractography, the doctors safely removed all of the AVM, significantly reducing Lauren’s risk of life-threatening brain bleeds. 

Back on the Field and Giving Back 

Today, Lauren is thriving, though she still has some issues with numbness, speech, and memory. Most importantly, Lauren is back on the lacrosse field, a goal that once felt impossible during her darkest days. 

Her determination to return to the game she loves is inspiring—and Lauren’s story continues to inspire others. This year, Lauren will be honored as a Summer Scamper Patient Hero at the 5k, Kids’ Fun Run, and Family Festival on Saturday, June 21. She will be celebrated for her courage, resilience, and the way she has overcome unimaginable challenges. 

“I am so grateful to the doctors and nurses at Stanford who saved my life,” Lauren says. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to continue playing the sport that I love. I’m honored to have been invited to join the Scamper event to be able to thank the donors in person for their support of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. I hope my story inspires others.”   

Thank you for all you do to support patients like Lauren! She cannot wait to Scamper with you!