I am running as a Children’s Champion in honor of my son Samuel. He was a patient at Nationwide Children’s Hospital not long after his birth. My husband and I had no idea that we would lose him 3 days after joyfully welcoming him into the world in May of 2022. The doctors and staff did all they could to save our son, and they cared for him with compassion.  They made it possible for our other son Jordy to meet his baby brother and also say goodbye to him until we are one day reunited in heaven.  Our hearts are still broken, and it is only by the strength of Christ we keep going. I am running this race for Sam, and for other children who are depending on the care of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

My sister, Kristen (Sam’s aunt), is running with me. And she is the other reason I am a part of this race.  When we run the half, it will be just over a year since she and I both underwent surgery. Facing autoimmune liver disease and cirrhosis, my best option was a transplant. However, because of the kind of disease I have, I was pretty far down the transplant waitlist. My sister offered to go through testing and give me part of her liver in an act of such compassion. So last year on September 5, 2023, she gave me part of her liver (more than half!). It’s been a long recovery, but as part of our healing journey, we are running this half-marathon together. And we want to do it in honor of Sam.

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