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"He’s a miracle kid.
It’s how Cambi Cassanelli describes her son, Bryson, who was born
three and a half months premature at 2 pounds, 7 ounces. Bryson
has bronchopulmonary dysplasiaa lung disease that severely impairs
his breathing. After three months in a suburban hospital’s neonatal
intensive care unit, Bryson went home, but got progressively worse.
“I didn’t think he was going to live,” Cambi says. “He was so weak.
He couldn’t breathe. It breaks my heart to watch the old home movies.”
Today, Bryson is treated by Andrew
Colin, MD, clinical director of Pulmonary Medicine,
and his condition is improving. He’s on six medicines, compared
to 14 previously, and a low dose of oxygen. To show her gratitude,
Cambi participated in last year’s first Miles for Miracles Walk
for Children’s Hospital Boston, and will do the same this year.
“As sad as it can be in a hospital, Children’s gives you the most
incredible gift when they care for your kids,” Cambi says. “We could
never repay Children’s. A walk is something we could do.”
Last year, the Cassanellis raised $2,870 by asking friends for
donations, and were honored by the outpouring of generosity. For
this year’s walk, held Saturday, June 19, she plans to raise even
more money.
“The little boy we didn’t think would live is blowing us all away,”
Cambi says. “We have Children’s to thank.”
Join us for the 2nd annual Miles for Miracles Walk for Children’s
Hospital Boston, with 7- and 2-mile courses along the Charles River.
All walkers are asked to collect $100 in pledges, and walkers who
raise $500 or more join Children’s Miracle Maker club and win prizes.
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| Michael Rich, MD |
All money raised supports the hospital’s neediest areas. Register
to walk or form a team by visiting www.chtrust.org/walk, or by calling
ext. 5-6666 or 1-866-303-WALK. Children’s gives special thanks to
Kohl’s, a Miles for Miracles presenting sponsor, along with sponsors
StrideRite, Aquafina, and the Credit Unions of Massachusetts for
helping make Miles for Miracles possible.
Marathon Monday a big day for Children’s
On April 19, 150 runners completed the famed Boston Marathon on
behalf of Children’s while raising nearly $800,000 toward a $1 million
goal—with donations still pouring in. For the second consecutive
year, Todd Duchene, who was touched by the hospital when his daughter
had heart surgery here, was Children’s Kids at Heart team’s top
fundraiser.
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At the Boston Marathon in
April, Maria Davila, RN, BSN (above), the Day Charge Nurse
in the Neonatal ICU, was the first woman from Massachusetts—and
the 12th overall—to cross the finish line in the 50
and older category. Here, she cares for patient Allie Beliveau.
“These little patients are my passion and running marathons
has given new meaning to my life. I see a parallel between
their experiences and marathoning: we just keep moving forward
to the next bend in the road and life.”
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In other news, the second annual Katie Lynch Award was presented
to Children’s Michael
Rich, MD, assistant in Medicine, who ran the marathon
on behalf of his patient, Jaime, who nominated him for the award.
Lynch, who died of an aneurysm in 2002, was a long-time Children’s
patient. Never defined by her illness, Lynch was a hospital employee,
motivational speaker, and member of the Kids at Heart team—completing
her own mini marathon for Children’s.
Children’s thanks all of its runners, the patient families who
inspire the runners through long months of training, and the team’s
corporate sponsors: Kohl’s Department Stores, Oechsle International
Advisors and United Airlines.
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