Coronado Turkey Trot presented by Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary

We are honored to introduce Xavier as our 2024 Coronado Turkey Trot Race Ambassador. His incredible story of perseverance, determination, and positivity embodies the spirit of our race community and the powerful impact of Rady Children’s Hospital.

 

Xavier's Story

 

In September 2021, Xavier was diagnosed with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). LHON is a mitochondrial disease, and when someone becomes affected with this disease, they experience sudden, painless loss of central vision. In the course of two months, at 13 years old, Xavier lost his central vision and went from 20/20 vision to 20/800 vision from this rare disease.

 

Instead of seeing his life as over, Xavier continued his full-vision life activities with the attitude that nothing is impossible – it may just need to be done differently. His current busy life includes pursuing Eagle Scout rank with his Coronado Boy Scouts troop, mountain biking, skiing (including black diamond runs!), and running both Cross Country and Track and Field for the Varsity teams at Coronado High School. He also works to excel academically while learning to do schoolwork differently, with very little time for transition from fully sighted to visually impaired.

 

Xavier’s foundation of self-confidence, positivity, and sense of humor are signature traits. He continues to touch individuals and communities around him with his belief in what is possible and his overall spirit.

 

Throughout this journey, Rady Children’s Hospital has been Xavier’s and his family’s partner and support. It is thanks to Rady’s Institute for Genomic Medicine that a diagnosis of a mitochondrial genetic disease of LHON was identified through whole genome sequencing. After diagnosis, Dr. Richard Haas provided support and guidance for the mitochondrial root cause of LHON, and Dr. Jennifer Graves, Xavier’s neuro-ophthalmologist in Rady’s Division of Ophthalmology, has provided ongoing evaluation, monitoring, and, most importantly, compassion for a disease that does not, yet, have a cure.

 

Despite this rapid disease progression, Xavier continues to believe and share with others that if we work together, anything is possible, and we can make the unimaginable happen. 

 

Join Us in Supporting Rady Children’s Hospital

As we prepare for the Coronado Turkey Trot, we invite you to walk or run in honor of Xavier’s inspiring journey and in support of Rady Children’s Hospital, where life-changing work is happening every day. By participating, you help fund the programs and research that make it possible for children like Xavier to receive the best care and continue pursuing their dreams.

This Thanksgiving, let’s come together as a community to celebrate hope, resilience, and the belief that when we work together, anything is possible.