Families gather at CHOP for celebration and reunion

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A Children's Hospital of Philadelphia check-up carnival style. In its 22nd year, more than 2,000 people - families from all over the country and the world - gathered outside the hospital's Seashore House for a fetal family reunion.

"These are all children who, before birth, a birth defect is diagnosed and, in some cases, treated with fetal surgery before birth, during birth or after birth at CHOP," said Doctor Scott Adzick.

Dr. Adzick is the Director of the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment.

"This is the epicenter of the fetal diagnosis treatment in the world. You can look all around here. There are scores and scores of children who have had fetal surgery for Spina bifida," Dr. Adzick stated.

But, that's not what brings a now-healthy Nathan Bognar to this celebration.

"Nathan was diagnosed with multicystic kidney in 2005. I didn't know what was going on. It was the scariest place of my life," said Michelle Bognar.

Bognar, of Marlton, New Jersey, said Nathan's diagnosis came when she was only eight weeks pregnant. Now Nathan is 12-years-old and thriving.

"He'll grow up to be a good, productive man," Bognar said.

For that, Bognar is thankful. She and many families at the event said they're forever grateful for the care they received at CHOP.

"If it wasn't for them, I don't know where we would be," Bognar explained.

And, that's why the Bognar family comes back to celebrate year after year.