Please join Amelia, Jett and myself as we participate in the Walk for Children’s 2024 presented by UPMC and UPMC Health Plan. We have decided to create a team and gather friends and loved ones to help fundraise and support the movement in advancing pediatric healthcare!

Without UPMC childrens hospital our daughter would not be here today. On Aug. 20th, 2021 at just 8 weeks old, we took Amelia to the hospital because we thought that she could’ve been dehydrated. Unfortunately, it was much worse. She was going through heart failure. If we would’ve waited any longer we could’ve lost our baby. Instead, childrens hospital jumped into action and cared for our little girl. They had the knowledge to recognize that her breathing pattern was abnormal and went straight to work. She was quickly diagnosed with a rare heart defect called Dilated Cardiomyopathy. She underwent two open heart surgeries, one to insert the LVAD and one to successfully remove it. During her hospital stay she had blood clots that formed and released causing two strokes and also resulting into multiple seizures. She also underwent surgery to have a GTube placed. God willing we were discharged from the hospital 75 days later on Nov. 3rd, 2021 and she has since been thriving since being home. Amelia was listed on the transplant list for six months but to our surprise and the doctors she conquered through. As of today, Amelia has been removed from the transplant list, is GTube free and no longer having seizures!! Although she may not need a transplant at this time, we are preparing for the day that she might. There is no given answer on when the day might come or if it ever will. Her battle is far from over but we pray that we as parents can provide her the life that she deserves, full with love and laughter, even during the hardest days. Thank you, UPMC, for saving our daughters life. We will be forever grateful for every single person that had a hand in her care.

So please, join our team and “walk a mile in Amelias shoes” with us as we help fundraise and make a difference for sick kids and their families.

Every child deserves the chance to just be a kid. But for kids who are sick or injured, hospital visits and treatments can take time away from the activities that make being a kid so special.

By joining our team you are able to help provide hope, healing, and healthier tomorrows for the brave kids at UPMC Children’s Hospital.

Thank you for your support!