Saving Nadia

Series, from Josh Goldstein in Philly (thanks, Pia): The toddler's dry, cracked lips had taken on a blue tinge that Monday morning. In fact, Nadia Kadi's normally light-olive skin was a darker, bluish hue.

Her parents brought her to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a routine checkup. But when liver specialist Elizabeth Rand saw the little girl, she immediately knew there was a problem. Rand examined her, and then turned to Nadia's worn-out parents.

Nadia needed to be readmitted.

As Joe and Allison Kadi waited for a room on 8 South, the ward at CHOP where kids with severe liver disease are treated, Nadia fell asleep in her father's arms.