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Notre Dame Junior Irish Reporter program, born from the partnership between University of Notre Dame Athletics and Beacon Health Foundation, gives Beacon Children’s Hospital patients the opportunity to meet and interview Notre Dame athletes. Meet these special kids, learn their stories and see them in action.
Get to know these amazing kids and find their full story and video below.
When 5-year-old Theo was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in February 2025, his family’s world turned upside down. Since then, he’s endured chemotherapy, transfusions, hospital stays, and countless challenges. Yet through it all, Theo has shown remarkable resilience and even selflessness, once reminding his mom, “There must be other kids that need help more than me.”
Beacon Children’s Hospital has given Theo and his family expert care close to home, making an otherwise overwhelming journey more manageable.
Recently, Theo got to live out a dream as a Junior Irish Reporter with Notre Dame Athletics. For a sports-loving kid, it was the ultimate bright spot, a chance to feel like any other 5-year-old.
Your support makes moments like this possible. By giving to Beacon Children’s Hospital, you help kids like Theo receive lifesaving treatment while still getting to dream, play, and thrive.
When 5-year-old Royalty was diagnosed with brain cancer, doctors gave her just a 10% chance of survival. After three brain surgeries, chemotherapy, and expert care at Beacon Children’s Hospital, she is now in remission, healthy, thriving, and full of spunk.
Recently, Royalty was named a Junior Irish Reporter, giving her the chance to interview a Notre Dame Player. For a little girl who never stopped fighting, it was the ultimate bright spot and a reminder that she’s still just a kid who deserves joy.
Her mom, Danyalle, is filled with gratitude: “I’m proud of how far she’s come. She didn’t stop fighting. Honestly, I’m just proud that she’s able to continue to be a kid and live the life she deserves to live.”
Your support makes moments like this possible for Royalty, and for countless other kids at Beacon Children’s Hospital.
Notre Dame vs. Boise State
When 5 year old Lily was diagnosed with a brain tumor, her family’s world turned upside down. After surgery and 29 proton radiation treatments, she is thriving today thanks to the expert care and compassion of Beacon Children’s Hospital.
This year, Lily was chosen as a Junior Irish Reporter with Notre Dame Athletics. Though nervous at first, she bravely completed her interview and walked away with a smile and a new friend. For Lily, it was more than just meeting a football player, it was proof that she could overcome fear and keep moving forward.
Her courage shines beyond her own journey. On her 6th birthday, Lily donated all her gifts to Beacon’s Pediatric Floor to help other children.
Your support makes stories like Lily’s possible. Together, we can ensure every child at Beacon has the chance to heal, to grow, and to keep dreaming big.
Just before her 6th birthday, Teagan was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor, a childhood cancer. After surgery, radiation, and 28 rounds of chemotherapy, she continued her treatment close to home at Beacon Children’s Hospital, where Dr. Snyder and her team provided loving and compassionate care.
Through it all, Teagan showed remarkable courage. “She handled chemo like a boss,” her mom said. “She didn’t care that she was bald—she stood proudly!”
Today, Teagan is back in school full-time and recently had the opportunity to serve as a Junior Irish Reporter with Notre Dame Athletics. Though nervous at first, she was excited to meet a football player and enjoy a moment that celebrated her strength and resilience.
Your support makes stories like Teagan’s possible. Because of you, kids at Beacon Children’s Hospital receive lifesaving treatment close to home and opportunities to dream big.
Notre Dame vs. USC
Lola has always been full of creativity and humor, from making up silly songs to inventing her own family catchphrases. But this summer, when she was diagnosed with Complex Partial Seizures, her family’s world was shaken.
Thanks to the compassionate team at Beacon Children’s Hospital, Lola is now seizure-free on medication and thriving. Her family will never forget the kindness shown by doctors, nurses, and staff who made a frightening experience so much easier to bear.
Recently, Lola had the incredible opportunity to serve as a Junior Irish Reporter with Notre Dame Athletics. For her family, it was a dream come true. For Lola, it was a joyful reminder that she is more than her diagnosis.
Your support makes stories like Lola’s possible. With your help, kids at Beacon can continue to heal, grow, and dream big.
Hudson and his twin brother Hayden were born on November 7th at just 28 weeks. Hudson weighed 2 pounds 4 ounces, while Hayden weighed 1 pound 8 ounces. Both spent their first days in the NICU at Beacon Children’s Hospital. Hudson grew stronger and went home after nine weeks, but Hayden faced greater challenges and passed away after 14 months.
Now 12 years old, Hudson carries his brother with him each day. Each year, his family donates in loving memory of Hayden, with their 2023 gift supporting the MedFlight Team. His mom calls him “the most compassionate, caring 12-year-old I know.”
This year, Hudson was chosen as a Junior Irish Reporter with Notre Dame Athletics—a joyful experience made even more meaningful as his family will celebrate his and Hayden’s 13th birthday the day before the Navy game.
Your support makes stories like Hudson’s possible. With your generosity, Beacon Children’s Hospital provides lifesaving care and moments of hope for families when they need it most.
Notre Dame vs. Syracuse
When Noa was just an infant, she was hospitalized at Beacon Children’s Hospital with RSV bronchiolitis and respiratory distress. It was a terrifying time for her family, who had already experienced the loss of one of their twin boys. But thanks to the skilled and compassionate team at Beacon, Noa received the care she needed and went home safely.
Today, Noa is a thriving 9-year-old who loves swimming, crafting, and dreams of becoming a US Navy Blue Angels Pilot. Recently, she was chosen as a Junior Irish Reporter with Notre Dame Athletics—an unforgettable experience that her family will always cherish.
Her parents say it best: “Beacon has been a huge part of our lives and has been there for some of the most difficult moments we have faced. We will forever be grateful.”
Your generosity makes stories like Noa’s possible. By supporting Beacon Children’s Hospital, you ensure that kids like Noa can keep dreaming big.
Allie is a sweet, kindhearted girl with a gentle spirit and a love for helping others—especially her four younger siblings. Born at just 26 weeks and weighing only 1 pound 6 ounces, Allie spent 92 days in the NICU at Beacon Children’s Hospital after her early arrival due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.
Through daily skin-to-skin care, blood transfusions, and the expert support of her care team, Allie defied the odds and came home healthy. Her family is especially grateful for Dr. Buchh, nurse Carrie Higgins, and the many NICU nurses who became like family during her stay.
Today, Allie is thriving in sixth grade—earning straight A’s, playing sports, serving in her church’s youth ministry, and growing into a compassionate young leader. Being selected as a Junior Irish Reporter is a meaningful opportunity for Allie and her family to share her story and offer hope to others.
Beacon Children’s Hospital played a critical role in Allie’s journey, providing not only exceptional medical care, but also compassion and support for her entire family during an incredibly scary time.
Notre Dame vs. Boston College
Gianna is strong. More than anything, that is how her family describes her. She loves to dance, sing, and be silly, but her strength shines through everything she has overcome.
In November 2023, Gianna was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM), a rare autoimmune disease. After extensive testing, she began IVIG treatments and a long-term care plan. Much of her ongoing treatment has taken place at Beacon Children’s Hospital, where the infusion team and staff go above and beyond to make each visit special and supportive.
Today, Gianna is doing great. She has come off high-dose steroids and methotrexate injections, reduced her infusion schedule, and is nearing the end of treatment as doctors evaluate remission.
Being selected as a Junior Irish Reporter is an exciting, full-circle moment for Gianna and her family, who love Notre Dame and cherish the special memories made during her care.
Gianna’s journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, progress, and the compassionate care that makes healing possible.
Israel is a fun-loving, goofy kid who is always trying to make people laugh. The most adventurous of four siblings, he loves being outdoors, climbing, jumping, and exploring with fearless energy.
After experiencing a seizure at school, Israel was taken to Beacon Children’s Hospital, where imaging revealed a benign brain tumor. On February 20, 2025, he underwent a successful craniotomy to remove the tumor, which had been causing his seizures. Since surgery, Israel has had no additional seizures and required no further treatment.
His recovery was remarkable. After a short period of rest, Israel returned to playing, learning, and keeping up with schoolwork at home. His teachers were amazed at how easily he stayed on track, even after being out for a month.
What makes his family most proud is Israel’s calm and positive attitude throughout the experience. While the situation was overwhelming for his parents, Israel accepted it as it came and never focused on fear or the unknown.
Being selected as a Junior Irish Reporter is an exciting opportunity for Israel and his family. A huge basketball fan who loves shooting hoops at home, Israel is thrilled to experience a college game in person for the first time. His family is deeply grateful for the care they received at Beacon Children’s Hospital, especially from Dr. Fulkerson and the ICU team, whose expertise and compassion made a lasting impact during a very scary time.
