On Monday, April 16, 2018, I will be participating in the 122nd Boston Marathon! The Boston Marathon has been a personal goal of mine and also allows me to donate to an organization that holds a special place in my heart.
When my younger brother Devin was a baby he suffered from a disease called Craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the fibrous joints between the bones of a baby's skull close prematurely, before the baby's brain is fully formed. This causes the head to become misshapen while the brain continues to grow. This disease can cause serious complications including cognitive impairment and even blindness.
At 8 months old, Devin underwent open skull surgery to repair the defect. Thankfully, it was a success! I was only 6-years-old when it happened but I remember the toll it took on my parents. I remember visiting him in the hospital; his eyes were swollen and he had an incision on his scalp going from ear to ear. It was scary to see my baby brother in this state and I will never ever forget it. Fortunately, he was in great hands at the Boston Children’s Hospital. The amazing doctors and nurses not only displayed their medical expertise, they also supported my parents every step of the way. Our entire family will be forever thankful for the extraordinary work that Boston Children’s Hospital provided and continues to provide today.
Thanks to ELEMENT Productions, John Hancock and the Boston Marathon I have a platform to raise money for Boston Children’s. I am excited and honored because without the Boston Children’s Hospital my little bother’s life would have been very different than it is today. Devin is not so little anymore - he’s a 21-year-old young man with a huge heart, a killer smile, and a pretty mean battle scar.
This is my first marathon and I am taking this opportunity to do some good! Please join me in making sure that more children suffering from any illness or disease have access to the incredible staff and facilities Boston Children’s hospital has to offer! Through CrowdRise, all donations to my campaign go directly to the Boston Children’s Hospital. Thank you for your generosity and support!
