Porter Antici named 2026 children’s miracle network hospitals champion for Mississippi

Porter Antici named 2026 children's miracle network hospitals champion for Mississippi

Porter Antici is a healthy, active 6-year-old boy thanks to the care of a dedicated team of experts at Children's of Mississippi. This year, he will share his journey as Mississippi's 2026 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion.

His new role was announced during a news conference Friday at the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children's of Mississippi.

Each year, Children's Miracle Network Hospitalsselects Champions from its more than 170 member children's hospitals across North America. These children serve as ambassadors for pediatric patients in their communities, raising awareness and advocating for children's hospitals and the lifesaving care they provide.

Porter, a Madison native, visits Children's of Mississippi regularly to receive care from multiple specialty disciplines, including pediatric nephrology and surgery.

"Porter represents what our mission is all about," said Ellen Hansen, chief nursing and operations officer for Children's of Mississippi. "Thanks to early intervention, our expert team and family dedication, he is a remarkable six-year-old who inspires all of us with his strength and his joy. We are honored to have him serve as Mississippi's 2026 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion."

As a Champion, Porter will represent the thousands of children treated at Children's of Mississippi and help share the impact of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals donors nationwide.

"First of all, I would like to thank the staff of Children's of Mississippi. Dr. Rachael Morris, Dr. Michael Morris, Dr. Afshan, all the nurses, cafeteria staff and the cleaning crew have always been patient first and have done an incredible job of taking care of my son," said Tony Antici, Porter's father.

From the very beginning, Porter's life has been shaped by extraordinary strength.

While his mother, Ashley Antici, was pregnant, doctors discovered that Porter's kidneys were enlarged during routine monitoring. Specialists at Children's of Mississippi closely followed his condition throughout the pregnancy. At just 28 weeks his kidneys stopped functioning.

"Ashley's pregnancy carried extraordinary risk-severely low amniotic fluid and concern for kidney failure often predict devastating outcomes. Through careful monitoring, multidisciplinary care and the family's resilience, this child defied expectations," said Dr. Rachael Morris, director of maternal-fetal medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Porter was born three weeks early via cesarean section and was diagnosed at birth with end-stage renal failure. Just one day after he was born, he underwent his first surgery, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of specialized medical care.

"Six years later, after a successful kidney transplant, Porter is thriving-an outcome that once seemed impossible," said Morris.

Porter continues to thrive in the ways that matter most. He loves all toys and enjoys making new friends-embracing childhood with the same determination and joy he brings to every challenge.

"I have gotten to know Porter because he visits our transplant clinic. Porter has a very good spirit. To know Porter is to love him, and there is never a dull moment with him. With everything Porter has going on, his personality and spirit is inspiring," said Montoya Sandifer, certified medical assistant in the Eli Manning Clinic.

For parents Ashley and Tony Antici, the compassionate care and innovation at Children's of Mississippi have played a vital role in Porter's journey.

"It is an honor for us to represent this institution, and we really look forward to spreading awareness and letting people in the state of Mississippi know how good of a thing we have locally," said Ashley Antici.