Taking Center Stage to Help Kids
Nate Ferrell inspires others to go greater and to help give children a better tomorrow
In October, 10-year-old Nate Ferrell represented the UF College of Medicine at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center during the official launch of UF’s Go Greater fundraising initiative. Alongside one of his UF Health physicians, surgeon Dr. Saleem Islam, Nate shared his story and once again, inspired others. “UF doctors help people all over the community — and the world. Especially kids like me! I’m Nate!”
While his music instructor prepares the day’s lesson, Nate Ferrell sits on the carpet of the music room, grinning as he explains how he teaches himself to play songs he hears on the radio. To prove his point, he picks up his violin and lowers his head until his jaw lands on the chinrest. He presses his lips together in concentration and guides his bow through the chorus of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.”
“It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight/Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival,” the instrument hums the familiar tune.
Nate perhaps understands these lyrics better than most 10-year-olds. His rival’s name is mitochondrial disease, a foe he’s been fighting since birth. The degenerative disease attacks the mitochondria, which are present in all cells aside from red blood cells and are tasked with generating most of the energy the body needs to support organ function.
For Nate, who was diagnosed at 11 months old, the disease manifests in difficulty breathing, digestive issues and bouts of exhaustion. He’s needed oxygen continuously since he was a year old, so he carries his oxygen tank in his backpack and sleeps with a ventilator at night. He received a feeding tube at age 3 and was the youngest patient in the U.S. to have a gastric stimulator implanted in his gastrointestinal track.
Miss America host Chris Harrison, Miss America 2015 winner Kira Kazantsev, host Brooke Burke-Charvet and Nate show their support for CMN Hospitals by sporting yellow hospital bands in September 2015.
Photo courtesy of Amber Ferrell
Between school, homework, violin lessons and golf practice, the fourth-grader attends weekly physical therapy sessions; sees UF Health specialists, including neurologists, cardiologists, immunologists and endocrinologists, to treat organs affected by the disease and monitor those that could become damaged; and receives myriad medical treatments — including weekly immunoglobulin injections that his mom, Amber Ferrell, administers every Wednesday afternoon at his music teacher’s house. For the Ferrells, it’s become second nature to fit medical treatments into the blur of activity that comes with raising three children.
“We’re just like every other family, except we have a few extra things to implement,” Amber said. “Nate’s a normal kid. He picks up his backpack and goes. He untangles his oxygen tubing and goes. He doesn’t let any aspect of his medical life slow him down.”
A champion at heart
Although the Ferrells make balancing medicine and family life look effortless, it wasn’t always an easy path to navigate.
“We were put into this medical world, and we had to learn this new language,” Amber said. “Those first few months were very confusing and scary when trying to rule out several diagnoses, but the care we have received at UF Health has been phenomenal. Many of the treatments physicians have tried have worked and have given Nate a life we never expected him to have when we started this journey.”
To show their appreciation for the life-changing care Nate has received at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, the Ferrells have spent the past six years serving as an ambassador family for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit that raises funds for medical research and lifesaving equipment at hospitals such as UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital while increasing awareness for children’s health issues.
Through this platform, the Ferrells have shared their story with students, potential donors and other pediatric patients and families across the nation.
In 2014, Nate was chosen as the CMN Florida Champion and traveled the country along with representatives from other states to spread awareness and raise funds. Through his travels, he met former first lady Michelle Obama in Washington, D.C., and comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel in Los Angeles. His face has been on billboards from Times Square to Tennessee.
While in Texas last year, the Ferrells were standing in line at the grocery store when Nate whispered, “Mom, that lady has a picture of me on her shirt.” Sure enough, the cashier was wearing a button decorated with Nate’s smiling face and the signature CMN balloon.
“We were nearly 1,000 miles away from home, and someone who had never met Nate was trying to raise money for CMN,” Amber said. “It’s surreal seeing the impact he’s made on thousands of people. His life has truly been a light to so many across the country.”
Spend five minutes with Nate and it’s easy to see that light emanating from his core. He doesn’t shy away from strangers; instead, he greets them with a grin and a handful of jokes at the ready.
When he grows up, he hopes to continue to entertain people through one of three dream jobs: working at Walt Disney World, hosting “The Tonight Show” or developing video games.
“It doesn’t matter if you have a disease,” he said, “you can still do great things.”
Take a bow: Hear Nate play violin
TOP ROW
LEFT: Nate and his sisters, Abby and Emma, pose for a photo in June.
MIDDLE: Dr. Saleem Islam, chief of pediatric surgery at the UF College of Medicine, and Nate at the launch of the UF Go Greater fundraising campaign.
RIGHT: Albert and Nate strike a pose at the CMN Celebrity Gridiron Challenge on the UF campus.
BOTTOM ROW
LEFT: Nate, who has participated in Dance Marathon at UF for five years, crowd surfs during the 2017 event.
MIDDLE: Nate began learning to play the violin at age 5.
RIGHT: Nate and department of pediatrics chair Dr. Scott Rivkees pose with the Dazzlers and Gator cheerleaders after Nate is chosen as the 2014 CMN Hospitals Florida Champion.
The stories on the following pages offer a glimpse of the power of the generosity of The Gator Nation and how it impacts people’s lives, the education of tomorrow’s leaders and the research that will bring healing to those who suffer.
A SHINING EXAMPLE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS
From the U.S. to Jamaica, Tashana Haye is committed to helping those in need
BRIGHT STAR IN FIGHT AGAINST RARE DISEASE
Dr. Barry Byrne has a unique ability to inspire others as he fights for his patients’ lives
LIVING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE
Dr. Carlos Donayre and Sandra Donayre are helping transform the future for others
