Skip to main content

Year in Review: Local Champion Bailey

Blissful. Bubbly. Bright.

There are many ways to describe our 2021 CMN Hospitals Local Champion Bailey Abbott and how she represents UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

Bailey used this year to tell more people about Turner syndrome, a rare chromosome disorder that occurs when a female child is missing an X chromosome. Bailey’s diagnosis affects just one in every 2,000 girls born.

“Overall, Bailey is doing well,” said Bailey’s mother, Ashley Abbott. “She recently had her final appointments at UF Health for the year.”

For Bailey, one of her favorite moments from 2021 was explaining how Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Dance Marathon (DM) have impacted her life.

“I am so thankful for UF Health Shands, my family, my DM family and God. It means so much to me that everyone is cheering for me,” Bailey said. “I love telling people how great DM is!”

The fall has been busy for the 12-year-old. Bailey participated in “Moralloween,” Dance Marathon at UF’s Halloween fundraiser, and perfected her Cruella De Vil costume for the celebration. She also got into the fall spirit by enjoying some hot cocoa while visiting DM friends at the University of Florida’s Phi Mu and Theta Chi houses.

“I am looking forward to Christmas with my family,” Bailey said. “The most exciting thing about 2022 is my 13th birthday in March.”

2022 is bound to be an exciting year. Bailey’s mother Ashley says her daughter had healthy check-ups with UF Health cardiology, nephrology and endocrinology. Bailey’s single kidney is doing great, and her endocrinologist projects her to grow to 5 feet tall before her growth plates close.

Thank you, Bailey, for representing UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in 2021. We appreciate all you do for CMN Hospitals!