MEET MARLA

Living with left hemiplegic cerebral palsy, Marla has spent much of her life at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, where her care team has become like family. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly through physical, occupational, and speech therapy to build strength, confidence, and independence. In 2023, Marla underwent a major orthopedic surgery to improve her mobility, and since then, she has made incredible progress, allowing her to enjoy more of the activities she loves with her family and friends.

Last year, Marla proudly served as one of our 2025 Run for All Children Grand Marshals, where she helped lead the pre race stretch alongside our Physical and Occupational Therapy teams. She also reached an exciting personal milestone that day by crossing the finish line of her very first official 5K, a moment that reflected years of hard work, determination, and the support of the care team that has been with her every step of the way. It was proof that years of determination, therapy, and perseverance had made what once seemed impossible a reality.

Today, Marla continues to inspire others through her resilience and positive spirit. She is honored to serve as the 2027 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion, representing Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and helping raise awareness for children and families who rely on lifesaving pediatric care.

More About Marla

• Favorite Place: The Beach

• Go-to Soundtrack: Lala Land

• Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Raspberry Cheesecake

• Marla is JHACH CMN 2027

MEET MILES

At just 4 years old, Miles experienced his first seizure. What was initially thought to be a fever related seizure soon became a frightening pattern, as he continued having seizures every 10 to 14 days. After months of searching for answers, specialists at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital discovered a lesion in his brain caused by focal cortical dysplasia, the source of his epilepsy.

Miles and his family were referred to Johns Hopkins All Children's Level IV Epilepsy Center, where a multidisciplinary team determined that brain surgery offered his best chance at a seizure free future. In May 2025, just one day after graduating kindergarten, Miles underwent a successful anterior temporal lobectomy. Since then, he has remained seizure free, is off all seizure medications, and has returned to being the happy, energetic, superhero loving kid his family always knew.

Inspired by his own journey, Miles and his parents coauthored Miles and the Colorful Capes of Feelings, a children's book that helps young patients understand and navigate their own medical experiences with courage and hope.

Today, Miles is proud to serve as a 2026 Run for All Children Grand Marshal, helping inspire others to support the hospital that changed his life. Every mile run and every dollar raised helps ensure more children and families have access to the expert care, innovative treatments, and hope that made Miles' story possible.

More About Miles

• Favorite Food: Sushi

• Favorite Movie: The Grinch

• Favorite hobby: Legos

• Favorite sports team: All Tampa Bay Teams!

• Something he is really proud of: Made it through brain surgery and his scar to prove it

MEET AL

After being born with a heart condition connected to Noonan syndrome, Al spent years receiving specialized care before undergoing a heart transplant in June 2026. Since then, he has continued to recover and grow stronger with the support of his family and care team. We’re so excited to celebrate Al and have him serve as one of our 2026 Run for All Children Grand Marshals!

More About Al

• Favorite Pre-Race Snack: French Fries

• What Al Wants to Be When He Grows Up: Police Officer

• Favorite Character: Steve from Minecraft

MEET INDIA

India has been a fighter since the day she was born. After a lengthy NICU stay, she moved to Florida with her mom and grandparents. When complications with her airway arose, India was airlifted from Clermont to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, where the Esophageal and Airway Treatment team discovered that her airway was experiencing a complete collapse. Dr. Smithers and her care team performed a tracheopexy to repair and stabilize her airway.

While preparing for surgery, an MRI revealed that India had pontine tegmental cap dysplasia, a rare malformation of the hindbrain. At the time of her diagnosis, only about 40 children were known to have the condition. India is deaf, relies on a G tube for nutrition, experiences seizures, and has undergone eye surgery along with years of procedures and specialized care.

Today, India is thriving because of the support of her Johns Hopkins All Children’s specialists and her physical and occupational therapists. She works incredibly hard in therapy as she learns to take steps toward walking. India has an amazing determination and will push through even the most difficult exercises to reach her goals. Her family moved closer to Johns Hopkins All Children’s so she could continue receiving the care that has changed her life, and they are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped India grow stronger.

India is proud to serve as a 2026 Run for All Children Grand Marshal, helping inspire our community to support the hospital that has given her family hope. Every mile run and every dollar raised helps ensure more children like India have access to lifesaving care close to home.

More About India

• Loves communicating through sign language and studying her ASL flash cards

• Pink is her favorite color

• Loves dance parties with her mom and grandma, KK

• Brings her Minnie Mouse doll to therapy so Minnie can exercise with her

• Loves waving to everyone she meets until they smile and wave back

MEET VALENTINA

When recurring ear infections, swollen gums, and a high fever led to an emergency room visit, Valentina's family received news no parent ever expects to hear. At just 9 years old, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive form of blood and bone marrow cancer. She was immediately transferred to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, where she began months of intensive chemotherapy, followed by a bone marrow transplant using stem cells donated by her mom.

Throughout her journey, Valentina was surrounded by the love and support of her parents and her younger sisters, Isabella and Ariana, who cheered her on every step of the way. Together, they celebrated every milestone, from dance parties with her care team to the unforgettable moment she rang the bell marking the end of her transplant journey.

Today, Valentina continues treatment to help keep her leukemia in remission and is finding her way back to the things she loves, one dance party at a time. She is proud to serve as a 2026 Run for All Children Grand Marshal, helping inspire our community to support the hospital that gave her hope. Every mile run and every dollar raised helps ensure more children like Valentina have access to lifesaving care close to home.

More About Valentina

• Loves music and dance parties

• Purple is her favorite color

• Taylor Swift fan

• Three words to describe Valentina: Resilient, Nurturing and a Dancer

• Loves pro wrestling and K Pop Demon Hunters

MEET SHEP

Shepherd “Shep” was born on February 4, 2025, with tracheal agenesis, an extremely rare birth defect in which a baby is born without a trachea, leaving no natural pathway for oxygen to reach the lungs. Fewer than 200 cases have been documented worldwide.

Since birth, Shep has undergone seven surgical procedures at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to build and reconstruct an airway. During the final stage of his airway reconstruction, surgeons created individual tracheal rings using his own rib cartilage, along with nine titanium splints.

At just one year old, Shep has already overcome extraordinary challenges and continues to thrive, grow, crawl, explore, and defy the odds. His journey is far from over, but through every surgery, setback, and milestone, he has shown incredible strength and resilience.

This year, Shep will proudly serve as a Grand Marshal for the 2026 Run for All Children. Join Shep’s Herd and walk, run, and rally alongside Shep and his team as we celebrate how far he has come, the incredible team that has cared for him at Johns Hopkins All Children’s, and all of the milestones still ahead.

More About Shep

• First person in the world with a titanium reinforced trachea

• Spent 446 days in the hospital
  

• Loves his big brother, Maverick

• Loves Bluey, Ms. Rachel, and watching cars drive by on walks

• Not a fan of loud noises or dirty diapers

MEET ZOE

At just a few months old, Zoe was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that affects only 1 in 12,000 children in the United States. Since then, she has faced multiple surgeries, months in the hospital, countless procedures, and life threatening complications, all while keeping the bright, contagious smile that has captured the hearts of everyone who meets her.

Today, Zoe is courageously waiting for a lifesaving multivisceral transplant, surrounded by the unwavering love of her family and the expert care of the Johns Hopkins All Children’s team. Through every challenge, her strength and joyful spirit continue to inspire those around her.

As a 2026 Run for All Children Grand Marshal, Zoe's journey is a celebration of her incredible strength, a heartfelt thank you to the team at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital who has cared for her, and a way to give hope to other children and families walking a similar path. Every mile run and every dollar raised helps ensure families facing some of life's hardest moments receive the compassionate care and support they need.

More About Zoe

• Favorite Character: Elsa

• Favorite song: Under The Sea

• Favorite Food: Pasta

• Favorite Animal: Giraffe

• Favorite Activity: Dancing

• Favorite Toy: Her monkey stuffed animal

• She loves to smile, laugh, and hug