Lucie Bakes Unicorn Food to Give Back

Lucie, age 8, loves gymnastics and swimming and earned her orange belt in Taekwondo. In 2023, she spent a week at Children’s National due to a rare condition that slows the flow of bile from the liver to the small intestines and can lead to a range of health issues.

“After spring break, Lucie kept getting sick,” says her mom, Jan. “She had a fever and terrible stomach pains. The ER discovered she had pancreatitis caused by a choledochal cyst.”

Lucie needed surgery. Jan contacted Timothy Kane, MD, Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Professor of General and Thoracic Surgery, a general and thoracic pediatric surgeon with expertise in treating this condition. “Lucie wanted a doctor who was not only experienced but kind,” says Jan. “We really appreciated how Dr. Kane spoke to Lucie directly, answered all her questions and listened to her opinions.”

A five-hour operation to remove Lucie’s gallbladder and bile duct and move up her small intestine led to complications that required a second surgery and blood transfusions. She was scared, and her parents were worried.

“I brought my stuffed animal, Barnard, with me to the hospital to make me feel better,” Lucie says. “The nurses gave both of us masks to wear and let me decorate them. When I had my transfusions, child life specialists brought in games and let me watch videos on the iPad.”

Jan says compassionate care eased their fears. “It was comforting having the nurses there to help us understand what was going on.”

After recovery, Lucie wanted to thank Children’s National. She joined a fair at a local firehouse where kids can make and sell a product to the community. Lucie decided to raise funds for the hospital with homemade granola, adding chocolate chips, dried strawberries and marshmallows. Her love of a special horned creature inspired her recipe’s name: unicorn food.

“Children’s National did such a good job taking care of me and even made me want to become a doctor one day,” Lucie says. “I hope the money can help bring the same comfort and joy to other kids in treatment.”

Lucie has one message for those patients: “Be strong.”