Cameron’s Story: From Crisis to Courage

In June 2009, our lives were turned upside down.

Our bright, joyful 7-year-old daughter, Cameron, suddenly became ill—nausea, fever, and a
general sense that something wasn’t right. At first, we believed it was just a virus. But as the
days passed, her condition deteriorated. Her fever soared to a terrifying 104 degrees. We
rushed her to our local hospital, only to be told, “It’s just a virus.” And just like that, we were
sent home.

But deep down, I knew something was seriously wrong.

That night, Cameron became alarmingly listless. She wasn’t just tired—she was fading. We
called her pediatrician, but with the Fourth of July weekend approaching, we reached the
on-call doctor instead. I described her symptoms: days of vomiting, dangerously high fevers,
and now, the whites of her eyes were red and inflamed.

The doctor’s words cut through the phone and straight into my heart:
“Mrs. Kinsella, you need to take your daughter to the hospital right now and tell them you
suspect Kawasaki Disease.”
I had never heard those words before. But the urgency in his voice told me everything I
needed to know.
We took her to a second hospital. Again, we were met with resistance. “It’s pneumonia,”
they said. “Likely another virus.” Cameron was admitted and placed on IV antibiotics. But
she didn’t improve. She barely spoke. She barely ate. After four agonizing days, the doctors
told us she could go home—if she held down one meal and remained fever-free.
She didn’t.

Less than an hour after arriving home, her fever spiked again. She was nearly unresponsive.
We turned the car around and raced back to the hospital. This time, we demanded to see a
specialist.

That decision changed everything.

An NJ county infectious disease doctor was called in. She ordered an immediate
echocardiogram. The results were devastating: acute coronary aneurysms, a hallmark of
advanced Kawasaki Disease. We were out of time.

IVIG treatment was started immediately. It didn’t work.

Our local hospital admitted they were in over their heads.

Fortunately, we live in the tri-state area. Within hours, Cameron was transported by
ambulance to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)—one of the leading pediatric
hospitals in the country.

At CHOP, we were met by a team that refused to give up.
They administered two more rounds of IVIG. Still, nothing. Cameron was slipping away. But
the doctors at CHOP didn’t lose hope. They made a bold, last-chance decision: a rare
combination of IV steroids and IV Remicade.

It worked.
Cameron stabilized. Her spark returned. Our miracle was back.
Though she was left with two coronary aneurysms, they have been carefully monitored—
and over time, have shown remarkable healing. Her strength, then and now, continues to
inspire everyone who knows her.

Today, Cameron is the embodiment of resilience.

She became a standout scholar-athlete, earning High School All-American honors in Field
Hockey, and was recruited to play NCAA Division I at Brown University, where she
graduated in 2024. As a senior, she was awarded the coveted John L. Danforth Award,
recognizing outstanding leadership both on and off the field.

 

Now 23, Cameron is pursuing her Master’s degree and serves as an Assistant Field Hockey
Coach at Monmouth University. She is strong, vibrant, and grounded by a wisdom far
beyond her years. Her optimism is radiant. Her heart—both literally and figuratively—is
powerful.

Cameron’s story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is light. That
miracles do happen. And that sometimes, the fiercest warriors are the ones wearing pigtails
and hospital bracelets.

We hope her journey brings comfort, strength, and inspiration to every family navigating
the uncertainties of Kawasaki Disease—just as she continues to inspire us, every single day.

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