Joe and Jennifer McGillis experienced overwhelming joy when their daughter, Sloan, was born in 2015. However, that joy quickly turned to shock when they discovered a large tumor covering part of her face—something that had not appeared in any prenatal ultrasounds and required immediate medical attention.
Because the tumor covered nearly half of her face, Sloan had to undergo thirteen surgeries to remove it. Thankfully, she survived, and today she lives as a happy, healthy girl. This is her remarkable journey.
Becoming a parent is often described as one of life’s greatest joys, a feeling difficult to put into words for those who haven’t experienced it. Yet for some, that happiness can suddenly shift into fear.
Sloan McGillis – born with a large facial tumor
That was the reality for Joe and Jennifer McGillis. Their daughter, Sloan, was born on February 25, 2015, and shortly after her birth, they noticed a significant growth on her face.
At just three days old, Sloan was moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where doctors identified the growth as a tumor. While it was non-cancerous, it still raised serious concerns.
Jennifer recalled the moment in an interview with Inside Edition: “They handed her to me. I went into shock at that point.”
Joe added, “I had about a minute of panic terror.”
Fortunately, the attending doctor, Dr. Hardy, quickly reassured them. He identified the tumor as a hemangioma and told the family that Sloan would be okay.
Jennifer later shared on Facebook: “He walked into Sloan’s hospital room when she was just born, looked at her and said, ‘That is a hemangioma and she will be just fine. Your daughter is going to be ok.’ And for the first time in 48 hours, I felt like I could breathe again.”
A hemangioma, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a non-cancerous growth made up of rapidly forming blood vessels. It often appears as red or purple marks on the skin and, although classified as a tumor, it is not life-threatening and does not spread. However, complications such as pain, infection, or scarring can still occur.
First surgery at eight months old
“When she was born, it was hard as a rock,” Jennifer told the Billings Gazette. “It was like having a grapefruit under your skin.”
Depending on where it forms, a hemangioma can interfere with vision, breathing, or hearing. In Sloan’s case, it covered most of her left cheek and risked affecting the muscles around her mouth. She couldn’t fully close her lips and had to wear a bib to manage drooling.
“She doesn’t seem to realize it’s there—she’s grown up with it,” Jennifer explained. “We’ve never treated it as something that defines her.”
Doctors initially advised waiting to see if the tumor would shrink on its own. However, Sloan’s parents were concerned about how she might be treated socially if it remained.
“The world can be cruel,” Joe said.
“Sometimes adults react worse than children,” Jennifer added. “Some parents of kids with hemangiomas are even accused of abuse.”
At eight months old, Sloan underwent her first surgery. Her parents consulted specialists across the U.S. before working with Dr. Milton Waner at the Vascular Birthmark Institute in New York, a leading expert in vascular conditions.
On January 6, 2016, Sloan underwent surgery.
Jennifer later described the emotional experience on Facebook:
“They had a plan, but we knew the entire tumor wouldn’t be gone. You can’t prepare yourself to see your baby covered in stitches and tubes. I remember holding her in the operating room, watching her eyes close as the mask went over her face—it still makes my stomach turn thinking about it.”
“In that moment, I prayed it wouldn’t be the last time I held her. Deciding on surgery for your infant is heartbreaking. We questioned everything—were we doing the right thing? Could her body handle it? Would she be in too much pain to express?”
During the procedure, doctors made incisions along her cheek, beneath her eye, and near her nose and mouth. They successfully removed about 90% of the tumor.
A week later, laser treatment was used to target remaining blood vessels and improve her skin’s appearance.
Financial challenges and community support
Despite the success of the surgery, the family faced a major challenge: the hospital in New York did not accept Sloan’s Montana Medicaid insurance, leaving them with overwhelming medical costs.
They turned to the public for help. A local bank in Missoula created a medical fund, and an online fundraiser brought in over $30,000.
Soon after, the Hannah Storm Foundation stepped in and covered the remaining medical expenses. With strong support from their community, the family ultimately raised over $100,000.
“Everything we feared just disappeared,” Jennifer told the Missoulian. “We didn’t have to worry about how to pay for it.”
Joe added, “People weren’t donating to us—they were helping her. It changed us. Sloan made us stronger and better.”
Over the following year, Sloan underwent nine additional procedures, including one to reduce scarring. Her journey was shared online through her Facebook page, Sloan’s Story, where thousands followed her progress.
The family also met ESPN anchor Hannah Storm, who had experienced a facial birthmark herself and supported Sloan’s treatment.
Jennifer described Sloan as a “miracle” and expressed gratitude that her daughter had the opportunity for a better life.
Sloan McGillis today
Sloan’s story gained attention across the country, with many people offering encouragement. She also received support from the Jadyn Fred Foundation, which gifted her a pony to bring joy during her recovery.
Over time, Sloan grew up, made friends, got a dog, and embraced life fully. Now 11 years old, she is active, happy, and enjoying childhood—learning golf and baseball, and sharing moments with nearly 5,000 followers online.
“I didn’t realize how brave my daughter truly was,” Jennifer wrote in 2020. “She’s taken us places we never expected. She’s loving, smart, funny, and strong. There’s a reason this happened to her—she was strong enough to overcome it.”
The family remains deeply grateful to Dr. Hardy, who played a key role in Sloan’s care.
In May 2021, during what would be their final routine visit, Jennifer described him as “patient, kind, and generous,” adding, “He will never fully know what he’s done for our family.”
Although the tumor was removed, Sloan still faces some ongoing challenges. At one point, doctors became concerned that it had affected bone growth around her eye and cheek.
However, as of her 11th birthday on February 25, 2026, Sloan is thriving.
Her mother wrote: “It’s incredible to look back at everything we’ve been through. It made us stronger. Sloan has shown us what true resilience looks like, all while staying loving and compassionate. I’m so thankful every day to call you my daughter.”
Sloan McGillis’s story is a powerful example of strength, resilience, and the impact of compassionate medical care.