Meet our 2021 Champion, Gautam!
Age: 13, but with a birthday only a few weeks away!
Hometown: Hillsboro, Oregon
The OHSU Doernbecher team is so excited to introduce our 2021 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion! Known as a young man with a big heart and a love for people, Gautam is thoughtful and considerate and will be a remarkable ambassador for Doernbecher throughout 2021.
In many ways Gautam is a typical 13-year-old. When not deep into school work, he loves basketball, playing video games and, of course, spending time with his friends. At the early age of just 2-years-old, Gautam’s world took an unexpected turn that has given him an innate sense of empathy and kindness for others.
Only a few short weeks after his 2nd birthday, Gautam was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). This news came in addition to being diagnosed with a central nervous system disease and the combination of both made it even more difficult to identify the most effective type of treatment for Gautam.
After working with an incredible team of Doernbecher nurses, therapists, CNA’s and doctors, led by Dr. Bill Chang, Gautam underwent cranial radiation along with two different forms of chemotherapy. He spent the next three years at Doernbecher undergoing treatment, extended hospital stays and specialists appointments all with his mother, Anita, and brother by his side.
Today, over ten years later, Gautam reflects back on his time spent at Doernbecher with joyful memories of tram rides, 4th of July fireworks from Doernbecher’s 10th floor windows and more. He also understands how lucky he was to have the team at Doernbecher as his partner in his fight against cancer