a little miracle on maui

Ashlyn Melcher was born at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children with a rare case of Hydrops Fetalis, excessive fluid in her body and lungs. Her parents, Jeff and Kristen, were airlifted from Maui to Oahu by Kapiolani's Critical Care Transport Team after learning their baby had a one percent chance of living. "As soon as Ashlyn was delivered they performed her first surgery right then and there in front of us in the delivery room," said Jeff Melcher.

Ashlyn was cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 99 days while undergoing a number of surgeries to help her survive. Following the Melcher family's return home, their daughter has grown up to be a very active and athletic young girl. Kapiolani's pediatric specialty care saved Ashlyn's life and her case has since been a breakthrough for other babies with similar cases at the hospital.