Kays' Kids - 92% Survival Rate for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Real Hope for CDH

Affectionately known as "KAYS' KIDS"

Learn about a 92% survival rate for CDH babies born here at Shands

Dr. Kays' Team Has a 92% Survival Rate for CDH babies born at Shands

CDH baby under the watchful eye of Dr. David Kays

All of us have been through quite a lot as parents, not to mention our children. From the moments we heard the devastating news from our doctors, through the pregnancies, deliveries and even today (for some of us), the experiences are worth sharing for those of you that are truly frightened and just now facing the reality of CDH. Here are some real stories about our kids - their courage, our courage and the extraordinary medical team of heroes at Shands led by Dr. Kays.

Our Survivors:

Ian Bunch
Ian would not be here if it weren't for his surgeon, Dr. David Kays, who is a pioneer in changing the way babies with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia are treated. He has the best published diaphragmatic hernia data with a survival rate of 92% of babies that are born at Shands. He and the wonderful doctors, nurses, and therapists provided Ian's little body with everything that it needed to grow and work and heal. We are so lucky we found our way to Shands. We are so lucky in many ways, and knowing how different it could have been, makes us count our blessings every single day for our miracle baby.

Bethany Fields
We are so grateful to have Bethany as a healthy member of our family. Thanks to God and the work of Dr. Kays and his team, she has her whole life ahead of her. Our family is very proud to be a member of Kays Kids. We look forward to being a support to others who may find themselves facing a similar situation.

Luke Firestone
Luke is 3 and ½ years old and a VERY BUSY little boy! He loves to play outside on his swing set and ride his tricycle. He has been amazingly healthy and will attend preschool this fall. We saw Dr. Kays in January for a check-up and he was thrilled with Luke's progress. He has developed a small hiatal hernia which Dr. Kays will repair in January 2005. Luke continues to have an expressive speech delay and is receiving speech therapy weekly. He is making progress though and we are confident that the Lord will give him lots of words soon! Each morning when Luke wakes us up we thank God all over again for the miracle that he is and for the blessing of being his parents!

Emma Gallagher
Both Anne and I were amazed at the kindness of strangers, the willingness from so many to help, and especially the many prayers that were said for our family and Emma. We know in our hearts that if it wasn't for Dr.Kays and the amazing doctors and nurses at Shands and Dr. Grisoni and his team at Desert Samaritan in Phoenix along with all of the prayers, love and support from our families and friends that this story may have had quite a different ending. We feel that we are very blessed!!

Delancey Hastings Our family thanks God for sending us Dr. Kays and his skilled staff. Dr. Kays says much of what he has gained about CDH was being in the right place at the right time. I feel it is all of us who were in the right place at the right time to have our children treated by such a gifted, passionate doctor.

Caleb Toney
Through Caleb’s diagnosis of a Diaphragmatic Hernia, delivery, repair surgery, multiple surgical procedures, ECMO for 21 days, ventilation for 28 days, parts of all 10 toes gone, and 5 months of oxygen...God was faithful. Dr. Kays admits in writing, “Physical examination reveals an amazingly well appearing boy... He had a very difficult course and his survival hung in the balance for quite a while...He is developing well, eating well and really is a miracle baby...”

Ricky Snow
Our son was terribly, terribly sick, but he isn’t now. The care he received in Gainesville certainly saved his life. John and I thank God every day that we found Dr. Kays. Our hope is that the techniques Dr. Kays uses at Shands will soon become more widely understood and accepted so that more CDH babies can go home with their families.

CDH Group Picture

Our Children who have passed away:

Sara Joy Miller

How do you tell the story of a life that some people believe was never lived? My Sara Joy who was stillborn did have a life. Only her life just consisted of the warmth of my womb. Full story.

Are you a parent carrying a child with CDH? Click here to contact Dr. Kays and his staff

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