Ambassador Highlight: Genevieve Saulino
Genevieve Saulino’s journey began before she took her first breath. Doctors discovered three holes in her heart during pregnancy, diagnosing her with congenital heart disease and setting the stage for a challenging, but hopeful, path ahead.
After delivery, newborn Genevieve was immediately taken to the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. Her mother, Stacey, remained in the labor and delivery unit, unable to hold her daughter for the first week of her life. During those difficult days, Genevieve’s father traveled between hospital floors — Stacey recovering on one floor, baby Genevieve fighting on another — all while navigating the additional complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At just 13 days old, Genevieve faced her first heart surgery, an intense 15-hour procedure. Despite complications during the operation, her fighting spirit proved stronger. After eight weeks in the hospital, she finally went home, only to return at 10 months old for her second surgery and another week of recovery.
Throughout her life, Genevieve has battled not only through surgeries, but also numerous other health challenges and hospitalizations. Her condition requires constant vigilance, as even a simple fever becomes a serious concern since she can’t take most fever reducers.
“Genevieve is currently going through her most positive outcome. Her heart has never looked as good as it currently does. She is eating more by mouth, she is walking confidently,” Stacey said.
A pivotal moment came in fall 2022 during one of Genevieve’s hospital stays. While watching over her daughter, Stacey noticed something that would forever change her perspective on giving.
“I found out firsthand in fall of 2022 how Children’s Miracle Network makes an impact in hospitals,” Stacey said. “She was a patient at the time and one of the machines that was keeping her stabilized had a CMN sticker on the back of it. It was at that time that I was told that it meant that medical equipment had been either paid for or partially paid for through CMN donations. In that moment that I knew I had to get more involved with this amazing organization and tell others about how this organization benefits children like Genevieve and many more.”
Though Genevieve will need another surgery as she grows, her story of hope and resilience continues to unfold.
Today, Genevieve’s bright smile and determined steps forward represent not just her personal victory, but the difference that caring people can make when they come together to help children thrive. Her family remains forever grateful to the dedicated physicians, nurses, and staff at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, whose expertise and compassion continue to transform their lives — and the lives of countless other families — every single day.