Juliette

Parents Cassidy and Patrick were overjoyed to find out they were expecting their first child, but their world shifted when they learned their baby had a condition that most don’t survive.

When Cassidy was 22 weeks pregnant with Juliette, doctors told them their daughter had congenital heart disease and would need open heart surgery at four to six months old. As the pregnancy progressed, they were also told she was not growing as expected and would likely be born early.

Being a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse herself, hearing this was devastating for Cassidy.

“I was still working at the time and had a very difficult time knowing that I would soon be on the other side.”

Further testing revealed mosaic trisomy 16, a genetic condition where some cells carry an extra chromosome 16—the most common chromosomal cause of miscarriage in the first trimester. But in Juliette’s case, Cassidy’s body underwent trisomy rescue, a rare process in which some of the extra chromosome copies get lost in early development.

This process led to Juliette also having maternal uniparental disomy 16, meaning some of her cells carry two copies of chromosome 16 from her mom instead of one from each parent. Because different cells were affected in different ways, Juliette has a mix of cell lines, which can lead to a wide range of growth and development outcomes.

 “It still feels surreal to say that something so often associated with loss is also part of her story of survival,” says Cassidy. “She’s our miracle, and her strength and resilience began long before we ever met her.”

At 33 weeks pregnant, Cassidy was hospitalized with life-threatening complications: preeclampsia and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome. Shortly after, Juliette was born via emergency C-section, weighing three lbs and six oz, and Cassidy recovered.

Juliette spent the first six weeks of her life in the NICU at HSC Children’s Hospital. Cassidy says during a time filled with uncertainty and fear, having a team who truly cared, listened, and made them feel like they weren’t alone made a meaningful difference.

“The nurses were especially incredible in helping us navigate challenges, offering patience, encouragement, and celebrating the smallest milestones,” says Cassidy. “As a NICU nurse and a parent, I experienced firsthand how dedicated and compassionate the team truly is.”

The day Cassidy and Patrick brought Juliette home was a dream come true, but the months leading up to Juliette’s heart surgery were hard. They had frequent phone calls with her medical team and emergency trips to the hospital, living each day on high alert.

The day finally came for Juliette’s heart surgery in Edmonton. The new parents were terrified, but hopeful.

Juliette’s surgery was a success and initially, recovery was encouraging. But shortly after the procedure, she experienced a complication that caused her heart to stop. Cassidy says those hours and days were the scariest of their lives, but once again, Juliette showed her resilience.

While recovery continued, Juliette, began to struggle with feedings and abdominal pain. Tests revealed another birth defect, this time in her intestines, that would require another surgery.

“There are no words for what we felt that day, having to hand our baby to the OR once again after we had almost lost her two weeks prior.”

Juliette recovered from her second surgery well, and after six weeks in Edmonton, they were transferred back to HSC Children’s Hospital. A week later, the new family was finally able to return home.

HSC Children’s continues to play a vital role in Juliette’s life through ongoing specialized care and anticipated surgeries in the future. Cassidy and Patrick celebrated Juliette’s first birthday in February 2026 and they’re enjoying their happy, thriving daughter who has made incredible progress in physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

“Juliette is our unique, special, rare girl, and we are so grateful for how far she has come. She is the definition of tiny but mighty.”

Cassidy and Patrick are grateful for donors who support HSC Children’s, so kids like Juliette can receive the specialized care they need.

“Your generosity provides life-saving care, hope, and comfort, making it possible to face some of the hardest moments of our life.”