20 years ago, my first grade teacher read us Miss Rumphius - A story about a woman who planted lupines in her community "to make the world more beautiful." She then asked us the question: How would you make the world more beautiful?
I decided I wanted to have a lemonade stand to raise money for Boston Children's Hospital. Little did I know that this (originally hypothetical) school project would transform into a 10-year fundraising journey. The first 5 years I sold lemonade in front of my grandparents house, and the latter 5 years I hosted an annual bowling event.
Now, another 10 years later I am continuing my fundraising endeavors for Boston Children's Hospital by running the 2024 Boston Marathon as part of the Miles for Miracles team.
I have witnessed the thoughtful and meticulous care of close friends by Boston Children's providers - ranging from genetic disease treatments to spinal fusions to organ transplants.
For this Marathon I am SO lucky to be running for my patient partner Grace. We share a love for selling lemonade (Grace had her own lemonade stand to raise money for Children's last year), dogs, and Elsa. Grace first became a patient at Children's at two years old when it was discovered that she has Isolated Congenital Asplenia, meaning she was born without a spleen and bacterial infections can quickly become serious. Today, Grace is a smart, curious and incredibly kind 8 year old who is enthusiastic about all that she does.
While I will be challenged for 26.2 miles on April 15, 2024, I will be inspired by Grace and other patients and their families who endure challenges every day.
Please join me in "planting lupines" for the Boston Children's community, and make the world more beautiful.
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.