I am running the Boston Marathon for a cause that's incredibly close to my heart. My 6-year-old daughter, Willow, began experiencing GI symptoms just two weeks after she was born. In her first year, she faced multiple hospitalizations, numerous blood transfusions, procedures, and extensive testing. Despite countless attempts to treat the inflammation with medication, nothing worked. At 15 months old we were out of treatment options. She had her colon removed and was diagnosed with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a rare condition affecting approximately 1 in 7,000 children.

Since Willow had surgery in 2019 she has lived with an ostomy bag and gets biologic infusions every eight weeks to treat inflammation of the small piece of colon left, in hopes of a pull-through surgery one day. 

It’s hard to put into words what Boston Children’s Hospital has meant to our family. Getting us through some of the darkest and most challenging days we had ever experienced.

In 2019, we spent Halloween in the hospital, and I remember feeling so sad that Willow would miss trick-or-treating with her big sister. The hospital went above and beyond, finding an owl costume for Willow, so that she and all the kids could trick-or-treat around the unit. Their dedication to making such a difficult time feel normal and joyous is something I’ll never forget. I have so many more examples like this. 

Today, when we take Willow for her bi-monthly infusions, she’s genuinely happy and excited to go—a true testament to the incredible nurses and child-life specialists who make it a positive experience for her.

I am running the marathon for Boston Children's Hospital because of the impact that the hospital has had on our family journey. From the incredible care that Willow has had to the thoughtful ways that they've helped Willow feel joy in difficult times, I am running to support the hospital that has made such a difference in Willow's life. 

While I cannot cure Willow, or take her disease from her, I can run to support the Hospital, whose dedication continues to inspire me.

Every donation helps fund crucial resources and support for children like Willow. Thank you for helping us bring hope and healing to these young fighters.

Thank You!

Every dollar I raise funds the very best medical care, breakthrough research and vital support services for sick kids and their families. Your gift will:

• help children from your town and across the world get a second chance at life;
• give kids battling the most complex diseases care they can't find anywhere else;
• fuel 3,000+ researchers working to develop new treatments and cures;
• support patient programs, like music and art therapy, to let kids be kids, even during long hospital stays;
• help patient families in crisis with urgent needs, such as food, clothing and housing;
• deliver the most compassionate, leading-edge care to every child who needs it. 

Please support my fundraising and help the incredible kids and families at Boston Children's Hospital.