Carley Vogel, a rising sophomore at Cobb County’s Center for Excellence in Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School, is living the dream of a young star. Having been on the stage since the age of six, Carley has performed in more than 50 professional productions of ballet, vocals, and theatre throughout the Atlanta Theater community, and stars in the MJCCA’s upcoming season opener, Urinetown, in July 2016. Carley, the reigning Miss Cobb County’s Outstanding Teen 2016, was recently named a top 10 finalist at The Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen pageant in Columbus (Miss America Organization). Carley is the daughter of Jim and Amanda Vogel.

But, it wasn’t always pageants and productions for Carley.

“When she was 12, Carley started to get sick; so sick that she went on to lose 25% of her body weight and 40% of her muscle mass,” explained Amanda. “We were so worried about her; she was missing tons of school and was so weak. We took her to the doctor, and they immediately sent her to the transplant floor at Egelston’s Children’s Hospital.”

Although Carley was in complete liver failure, the team of doctors figured out that she had a treatable, chronic disease: Auto Immune Hepatitis.

“Thankfully, she did not have to have a liver transplant,” said Jim. “It was a relief to finally know what was wrong, and to know that her condition could be treated with medication: a combination of steroids and an immune suppressant.”

Carley has been in remission for three years. Her doctors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are hopeful that with regular treatments, she will continue to live a normal life. Carley is also an active teen advocate and volunteer with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and enjoys giving her support to the organization that keeps her well. She will be one of the featured performers at the Tower of Talent, a world class concert of kids ages 8 to 18 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Dec. 4 to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“It’s hard to believe that today Carley is a three year liver patient,” said Jim. “She was once in complete liver failure, and today is a thriving teenage girl.”

“With everything I went through and everything I’ve learned, I’m hoping to make it a little easier for other kids facing illnesses,” said Carley. “My family and I feel so lucky to have had the support of our friends and wonderful doctors. The best advice I can give other kids is to stay positive and know that it is possible to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.”

Carley will appear on stage in the MJCCA’s 7th annual Teen Summer Stock production, Urinetown: the Musical, a satirical comedy musical, July 14, 16, & 17, 2016, (at the MJCCA, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd, Dunwoody). For more information or to purchase tickets: 678.812.4002, or visit online at www.atlantajcc.org/boxoffice.

What are your thoughts about this heartwarming story and teenage inspiration? Please share them below!