Deonc is a spunky 7-year-old with amazing dance moves and a passion for fashion, but her childhood has been far from easy. Deonc was born with Jarcho-Levin Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder with fewer than 120 cases reported since 1938. When she was born, doctors told Deonc’s parents that she would most likely not live past her second birthday because her chest cavity would become too small to accommodate her growing lungs. Deonc has received excellent medical care over the years and continues to defy the odds by overcoming whatever obstacle she faces. She is now attending a mainstream elementary school and lives a full life with a big smile on her face.

In February, members of the The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation team attended the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Momentum conference where they had the privilege of meeting Deonc, who served as the 2015-2016 Texas Champion. CMNH Champions are selected every year in each state across the U.S. to represent the 32 million treatments provided each year at 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Deonc is currently a patient at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio and Texas Children’s Hospital. She and her family were welcomed on stage during a special medal ceremony by event emcee, Nick Cannon, who presented Deonc with her medal.

Watch her enthusiastic reaction:

Thanks to donors like you, kids like Deonc are able to live happy, healthy lives. As a non-profit Hospital, we rely on the support of the community to continue to meet the needs of our patients. To learn more about The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation and how you can help more kids like Deonc, visit ChildrensHospitalSAFoundation.org.