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Miles for Miracles
On March 26, the tortoise and the hare kicked off
the new Miles
for Miracles fundraiser. The 7- and 2-mile pledge
walks will be held Saturday, June 21 along the Charles
River.
You can get involved by suggesting names for the
tortoise and hare mascots—the winner will take
home Brigham's ice cream certificates. (Entries are
due April 20.)
For more information
or to register, visit www.chtrust.org/walk,
e-mail walk@chtrust.org,
or
call (866) 303-WALK.
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Kids
at Heart Marathon Team has raised nearly $3 million since it
was formed seven years ago—funds that support patient care,
research, community health and medical education.
This year, the team is dedicating its efforts to Katie
Lynch, a former Children's patient and employee who conquered
her own marathon achievement two years ago by walking the first
26.2 feet of the race. Katie died in October at the age of 27, but
the memory of her energy and positive attitude inspires the team.
[ streaming
video ]
The runners also find inspiration in over 100 patients
and families who have volunteered their support as “Patient
Partners.” In addition to encouraging runners throughout their
training, many of these patients and families have played a key
role in runners' fundraising. But fundraising is only part of the
contribution that the athletes make. Just as the patients inspire
the runners, the Kids at Heart team generates inspiration and enthusiasm
for the mission of Children's Hospital Boston—in the community
and among patients, families, staff and employees. Here are a few
of their stories:
 Kate
Marshall is running for her son C.J. When her son survived
a rare, often-fatal lung disease, Kate Marshall vowed to help families
in similar situations. When he was just hours old, her son C.J.
was diagnosed with primary
pulmonary hypertension (PPH) a disease that would require him
to get a lung transplant.
Extensive research by Children's specialists indicated
that nitric oxide—a drug originally intended to prolong a
patient's life while awaiting a lung transplant—could potentially
save C.J's life. C.J. was treated with the drug, and showed such
significant improvement that he no longer needs lung transplant.
 Teresa
Prego is running for two of her daughters
Teresa Prego is a frequent visitor to Children's because two of
her children are patients. Eighteen-month-old Mia is a Cardiology
patient, and fourth-grader Gabi is treated in the Epilepsy
program. In November, Gabi came back to Children's for her second
neurosurgery, an ordeal that inspired Teresa to join the Kids at
Heart Marathon Team for a second year in a row. “If Gabi could
go through two more weeks of treatment,” says Teresa, “certainly
I could run again.”
If Gabi's courage inspired her mom, it also served as
a lesson to her classmates in fourth grade: the students designed
a t-shirt and are selling it to raise funds for the Kids at Heart
team.
 Matthew
O'Malley was a Children's patient
Matthew is a former Children's open-heart surgery patient. He was
admitted to Children's in 1990 for a relatively routine appendectomy,
but while he was in the recovery room, a nurse discovered an abnormal
heartbeat. Tests showed that his left ventricle ran backwards, an
extremely rare problem that caused an erratic heartbeat and improper
blood flow from his heart.
Children's cardiovascular surgeons performed a successful
bypass operation, and a decade later Matt ran his first marathon.
“It's a clear testament to the abilities of the doctors and
staff of Children's that a heart patient was able to endure a 26.2
mile race says Matt. I have continued with my running and am pleased
to have the opportunity to join this team.”
Related links:
Boston Marathon
Kids at
Heart Marathon Team
VIDEO: Katie
Lynch Took On Giant Challenges
Miles for
Miracles Walk for Children's Hospital Boston
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