My Jackson Miracle – Makinley Edwards

Two months after welcoming baby Makinley into the world, Nicki and Michael Edwards took her to the pediatrician for a regular check-up. During the exam, her doctor felt something abnormal and immediately sent her for an ultrasound.

The tests results were devastating. Makinley had a tumor and was diagnosed with stage 3 hepatoblastoma – a form of liver cancer in children.

Makinley immediately began chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, but her condition didn’t improve. Three months later, she was referred to Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, where she was put on the liver transplant list.

Doctors at the Miami Transplant Institute, a collaborative program between Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, began caring for Makinley. They made the prognosis that only way to save her life was through organ donation.

“It’s a rare disease, but transplant can actually save a lot of patients with this type of cancer,” said Rodrigo Vianna, M.D., director of transplant services and chief of liver and gastrointestinal transplant at the Miami Transplant Institute.

In February, doctors delivered the news Makinley’s parents had been waiting for – there was a match for their 8-month-old daughter.

That same day, Makinley successfully underwent liver transplant surgery at Holtz Children’s. She completed her last dose of chemo and is in remission.

Makinley’s parents have since become advocates for organ donation.

“We are so blessed that our daughter is now safe,” said her mother, Nicki. “We are so thankful to the parents who made the decision to donate their kid’s organs But it’s bittersweet because I know those parents also lost a child.”

Makinley, who recently celebrated her 1st birthday, is happy, healthy and active. She loves going to the beach, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and eating chicken fingers and French fries.