Great Clips Making Miracles for Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children

On October 1st, participating Great Clips Salons across Central Florida began  selling miracle balloons in support of Children’s Miracle Network at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. This past weekend, a special visit to a Great Clips salon in Orlando from brothers Patrick and William meant a surprise for our dedicated partners – and a new hair cut for each of the boys!

Patrick and William are surviving triplets who were born at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, which is part of Arnold Palmer Medical Center. Their mom, Karen, went into labor at 27 weeks into her pregnancy, giving birth to triplets Hunter, Patrick and William, each weighing less than 2 pounds. The smallest of them, Hunter, lived only 4 days, but passed his fighting spirit on to his brothers. Both Patrick and William underwent cardiac surgery before they were 12 days old, and while fighting numerous infections and overcoming several setbacks, spent nearly the next four months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in special incubators called Giraffe Beds, which were purchased with funds from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Once home, William thrived but Patrick struggled to eat and gain weight. At 18 months old, Patrick was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Periventricular Leukomalacia, a type of brain injury most common in premature infants which affects the nervous system. Despite the frequent hospitalizations, procedures and weekly therapy treatments that he receives, nothing stops Patrick and his brother from being bright, inquisitive nine year olds.

As Miracle Child ambassadors, they love to travel around Central Florida and make VIP visits to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ partners to say thank you and show their support by donating and decorating Miracle Balloons, like the one below.

Thank you Great Clips for making miracles possible everyday for the kids treated at Arnold Palmer Hospital and giving our friends Patrick and William some great new haircuts! To donate now through October 31, check out our list of participating Great Clips salons in the Central Florida area here!