Kaley, age 10

Kaley  Dugger
Age 10
Affliction: Bacterial meningitis & kidney transplant

It happened so fast. Flu-like symptoms, then rash-like spots were all the warning they had. The survival rate for the deadly illness that attacked Kaley Dugger’s body is a mere one percent. Though she was diagnosed quickly, bacterial meningitis was already wreaking havoc underneath her skin. Her condition worsened with every passing minute. When the disease was halted, Kaley’s battle had just begun.

The damage was overwhelming. Kaley’s organs had shut down; bruises and popped blood vessels covered her body. Under the surface nearly half of her tissue was dead or damaged. Gradually she was able to breathe on her own. Most of her organs began to function again, but her kidneys did not. Most difficult of all, the destruction of so much healthy tissue made amputations a necessity. Kaley lost the tips of several fingers and both legs below the knee.

Kaley, then 7, was just happy to be alive. She returned to school amidst cheers from her classmates. When she got her prosthetic legs, she began walking, dancing and even playing basketball. Her last big hurdle was a kidney transplant. Positive as ever, Kaley received her new kidney at Seattle Children’s Hospital and is now a thriving 10-year-old.

Kaley was honored this year as the ambassador for the sate of Washington to share her incredible story and spread the word about the important work of our local hospitals and programs. Her and her family traveled to Washington DC to meet he president and to Orlando, Florida to partake in the Children's Miracle Network Champions Accross America program. For more about this program Click Here.