Everyday this week for Riley Week, we want to share personal stories from a Riley kid. Knowing that we help Riley Hospital in treating children, aid in funding research, and hearing what Riley does for kids helps put into perspective everything we do. When Rowan was born he only weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces which is small enough to be considered a “micro” preemie. At this size, he was to deal with numerous problems. One of these problems that presented the most threat was Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a condition where intestinal tissue begins to die. His parents prepared for his funeral but then something miraculous happened: Rowan showed signs of improvement. At the hospital in Illinois where Rowan was initially being treated, they deemed he would not survive a transplant. He was transferred to Riley Hospital where Riley Pediatric Surgeon Alan Ladd, M.D., who is Co-Director of the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at Riley, consulted with his team and decided to operate. “Rowan w...