‘Miracle’ boy named local Children’s Miracle Network champion

Each year, Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals across the U.S. and Canada identify a “champion” in their community to represent kids treated at the local children's hospital. This year, El Dorado County resident Shine Arslanian, 7, has been named CMN champion for UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Throughout 2025, Shine and his family will support CMN campaigns that benefit UC Davis Children’s Hospital, the only CMN Hospital in the area.

Shine arrived five weeks early at a small hospital near his home. He weighed just 4.5 pounds. He was immediately transported to UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Doctors noticed that Shine’s jaws and eyes couldn’t open, his knees wouldn’t extend completely, and his fingers and toes were joined together. He was diagnosed with Popliteal Pterygium Syndrome (PPS) Bartsocas-Papas type, a rare condition. Shine was also diagnosed with a complicated disorder known as ectodermal dysplasia.

“It was a huge shock. We had no idea he was going to be born this way,” said Shine’s mom, Jamie Duby. “It was very overwhelming because we weren't sure what to expect. But we had the support of the care team at UC Davis all along. Without them, I don’t know where we would be.”

Shine has had 17 surgeries to date, including the amputation of his legs above the knee at 2 years old. But he has not let these challenges hold him back. He hopes to be a Paralympic athlete one day.

Now in first grade, Shine is taking his role as Champion seriously. His larger-than-life image already appears on the sides of two Knight Transportation and Swift Transportation semitrucks which will drive across the country.

As the 2025 CMN champion, Shine and his family hope to inspire people in UC Davis Children’s Hospital’s vast 33-county service area.

“We’re really hoping that our story can be a message of hope to other families,” Duby said.

CMN at UC Davis is thrilled to have the family participate.

“Shine is a real ‘miracle’ who beat the odds,” said Michelle Tafoya, managing senior director of development for UC Davis Children’s Hospital. “His story is a testament to the incredible work of our care teams at UC Davis Children’s Hospital and why community support is so important.”

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
UC Davis Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s first hospitals to join the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), an international nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for, and awareness of children’s hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raise funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals across the nation and in Canada. Countless individuals, organizations and media partners unite with Children’s Miracle Network to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to the network create miracles by funding medical care, programs, research and equipment that saves and improves the lives of 10 million children each year.