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Some have said I must be having a mid-life crisis. I like to think of it as a life changing purpose.
My story begins with a lagging gym membership. In August of this year, I decided to get back to the gym and exercise my way to better health. Sitting at a car wash one weekend I busied myself reading the P.F. Chang's Rock "n" Roll Marathon brochure. It got me thinking that maybe I needed a fitness goal. It was there and then that I decided to "go for it" and commit to running a marathon. With the encouragement of family and friends, I made the final decision and signed on to run.
I began training on my own, a big mistake given my inexperience. Friends suggested a running group. I found a group sponsored by Phoenix Children's Hospital and joined immediately. Having a coach and a training schedule gave me hope that I could accomplish my goal.
I felt a personal connection to PCH so it was an easy decision to focus my efforts on running for their charity. My daughter Peri was diagnosed with a mild form of metopic synostosis just before her second birthday. Our family was blessed to have been under the care of Dr. David Shafron, a pediatric neurosurgeon at PCH. Until her 5th birthday he watched over her and guided our family. Our outcome was a positive one - today Peri is a beautiful, healthy kindergartener with no visible symptoms.
It was through Dr. Shafron that I am now truly blessed to be training and running this marathon in honor of the most delightful little girl named Marley. She is a former patient of PCH. I'm also running on behalf of all current and future children who will enter through the doors of Phoenix Children's Hospital..
This past weekend PCH held a "Kick-Off Party" for runners and their honor patients. My family had the pleasure of meeting Marley and her wonderful family. It gave me a new purpose. I left the party with new determination and a new little friend.
Marley's family calls her a miracle. Not only has my life been changed by learning of her miraculous story, but more importantly through your kind and generous donations, together, we can strive to change the lives of many children.
Here is just a small portion of Marley's story and the miracle that took place at Phoenix Children's Hospital as told by her wonderful parents Holly and Patrick. I look forward to following Marley through the years and learing of all her successes.
In Oct 2007 Marley was only 2 and was complaining about a “neck owie”. After a bunch of tests that showed nothing they decided to do an MRI on her neck which came back negative. Her anesthesiologist Dr. Maze said he has been doing this too long and wanted to get our permission to scan her brain and spine. The MRI came back and showed a grapefruit size tumor sitting on her brain stem. She was rushed into surgery the next day which was Halloween. The surgery was almost 11 hours long and Dr. Shafron of PCH did an amazing job. The pathology came back that it was cancer and a bad form of cancer. Marley survived the surgery and the next day her team came running into the ICU and stated they think they were able to get 100% of the tumor, which does not happen often. She spent almost 3 weeks in the ICU then another 4.5 on the oncology floor which was a tough place to be. Her type of cancer would not react to chemo so they suggested a course of targeted radiation. She got out of the hospital and then went back every morning at 5am for 6.5 weeks to be put under and to have radiation. She has MRI’s every 6 months and is approaching her 2 year anniversary of her surgery. She is cancer free and has no major lasting effects from the surgery. We are so blessed that we experienced an actual miracle on earth.
Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts. If you would prefer writing a check, please make it payable to Phoenix Children's Hospital. I will personally pick it up and save you postage and time. Many, many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Philanthropy is not judged in dollars and cents but by the willingness to change the lives of others. Any and all donations are cherished and infinitly appreciated.
May you all be blessed with having a miracle touch your lives!
Thank you for reading this and allowing me to share this story.
Brian
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