When I signed up for the 2024 Boston Marathon, I thought for sure I was one and done.  A bucket list endeavor that I could check off the list.  Yet once again, I am pulling on my sneakers for the Boston Marathon as part of the 2025 Miles for Miracles team for Children's Hospital.  And once again I will be running for Cam Robinson.

Cam suffers from homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a rare life-threatening genetic condition that causes accelerated atherosclerotic disease and puts him at risk of a fatal cardiac event.  He was diagnoses at the age of 5 when a diligent dermatologist identified cholesterol xanthomas on his body.  A cardiologist ran his cholesterol levels and at the time his LDL was 897 (all above a healthy target of 120).  A subsequent cardiac catheterization revealed Cam had a 90% blockage in his right coronary artery. He needed immediate treatment.  At that time, the only options to prevent his atherosclerosis from getting worse was either a 6hr weekly treatment called LDL aphaeresis or a liver transplant.  Cam had a port placed in his chest at the age of 5 and has endured close to 300 treatments to date. The care he has received from Dr. Sarah deFerranti, Dr. Jake Hartz and the entire cardiac team at Children's has been life changing for their family.  Without them, Cam would not be where he is today.

Since this time last year, many things remain the same.  Cam is still the kindest, strongest, most respectful and respected young man I know.  He shows up every day with a caring and unapologetically positive attitude unlike anything I have seen.  He prioritizes family, friends and his favorite sports.  He will be the first to comfort a fellow player on the field and the last to let go of a good hug.  He loves his Mom & Dad, his brother & sister and above all - family traditions.

Many things are also different.  Cam started middle school this year and became acquainted with new teachers, new curriculum and new friends.  He has also faced a new set of challenges navigating his treatment and the road that lies ahead.  Not every decision around his care this year has been easy and at the age of 12yrs, Cam is involved with navigating the choices.  Yet every opportunity he had to be afraid or filled with despair, he chose to be brave.  He chose to be positive.  He chose to think, not of himself, but of others.  And for that I am so proud.  If everyone in this world could take a page out of Cam's book, we would all be living in a much better place.

I cannot do much to help when things around Cam seem uncertain and it breaks my heart.  But I can put on my sneakers, I can run and I can raise.  Raise money for new research, new technology, new breakthroughs that will continue to help Cam.  The level of strength, courage and grace that he shows us every day and in the face of such adversity - is well beyond his years.  It is a honor to know him.  It will be a privilege to run for him.

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