Julia was 18 months old when we discovered her in her crib, unresponsive and breathing slow, shallow breaths. Once arriving at Children’s Hospital, she was placed on a ventilator and we were told that she was in respiratory failure and having seizures. Julia was diagnosed with Viral Encephalitis and after spending 8 days on a ventilator and a total of 16 days at the hospital, was transferred to The Children’s Institute where she spent a month in their intense inpatient program learning how sit up, talk, crawl, eat, and even drink liquids again.

We thank God every day for the amazing doctors, nurses, and staff members at Children’s Hospital for saving our daughter’s life. The PICU staff is a group of absolute ALL-STARS. Julia was in the best possible hands and has made an amazing recovery. We will walk for Children’s Hospital every year as a small way to repay the debt that we feel is owed for keeping our family together.

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. That’s why I’m fundraising for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation – so that I can Give Kids A Chance To Be Kids!

I could not do this without your support!

Community fundraising helps Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC provide hope and healing to sick kids and families. Your support can help Children’s Hospital continue to be a leader in pediatric health care – advancing research of childhood conditions and diseases, and developing new and improved therapies.

You can help me reach my fundraising goal by making a donation on my fundraising page.

Thank you for your support as I Walk for Children’s!