On Christmas Day 1998, Elana woke up with a fever and a rash. She couldn't move her joints. Her mother, Laura, brought her to Nicklaus Children's (then known as Miami Children's) Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Churg Strauss Syndrome (CSS). This disease can be fatal and is extremely rare.
Elena was one of 20 patients worldwide diagnosed wtih CSS.
"Fortunately, Dr. Rivas-Chacón arrested the disease before it affected her organs," says Laura, her mother. "My daughter owes her life to Nicklaus Children's Hospital."
Elana, now 14 years old, frequently comes to the hospital and was recently operated on for appendicitis. "She participated in the morning TV show at the hospital and on Radio Lollipop. It is a wonderful hospital."