Meet Liam

Liam’s parents, Whitney and Ray, are both doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. When they noticed his breathing became noisy after he drank liquids, they leapt into action. Their first stop was Liam’s pediatrician, who referred the family to an allergist, pulmonologist and ENT. They recommended ear tubes and adenoid removal surgery for Liam, but his symptoms persisted. A CT scan in November 2024 revealed the root cause: a congenital heart condition called double aortic arch vascular ring.

Normally, as a baby’s heart and blood vessels develop, the aorta begins as several vessels. Then, in the fifth week of pregnancy, it becomes one large artery with a single arch above the heart. In rare circumstances, the additional vessels remain and form a double arch. As a child grows, this ring of blood vessels slowly compresses the baby’s trachea or esophagus.

That compression usually causes noisy breathing, coughing, trouble swallowing and chest pain, among other symptoms. Surgery is required to divide the smaller, superfluous arch from the main aortic arch. Liam received his surgery on February 14, 2024. While Liam continues to have follow-up appointments with his care team, he recovered well and has had no complications.

Today, Liam is thriving. An enthusiastic, inquisitive and active child, he loves pretending to be in a marching band and going to the airport with his dad, who is a pilot in addition to a physician. He also loves to snuggle up and read books with his parents and beloved “Mama Duck” stuffed toy.

Throughout his care journey, Whitney and Ray have been happy with his treatment and their own experience as parents. “Having health care providers who genuinely and patiently listened to our concerns has been so important to us,” they say.

“Each specialist we have met has become a trusted part of our team. It is so very reassuring to know that the best child health professionals in America – the same team we have the privilege of working with every day – can help us when our child needs care, too.”

When you give to Light Up the Lawn, Light up a Life, you support Nationwide Children’s Heart Center, which helps patients like Liam be kids again.