Hi everyone!
This is my third year running the Nationwide Children's Hospital Half Marathon and my second year running alongside my sister. Last year, together we raised just over $1,000 in support of Nationwide Children's Hospital. This year, I'm hoping we can smash through that goal and raise even more. Every dollar truly makes a difference.
This year, we're raising funds specifically for the Center for Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction (CCPR) at Nationwide Children's Hospital—a team of incredibly talented doctors, nurses, and specialists who have not only changed our lives, but the lives of so many other children and families.
Every child treated by CCPR has their own unique combination of challenges, diagnoses, and symptoms. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The level of expertise, compassion, and dedication this team provides is extraordinary. They are available year-round and have been there for us through every question, setback, and milestone.
I will never forget the moments when I felt completely helpless as a parent. Watching your child undergo surgery, experience pain, and face challenges no child should have to endure can leave you feeling lost and powerless. There were times when I felt like I was failing. I remember one CCPR nurse hugging me and reassuring me that I wasn't. In that moment, I realized they weren't just treating Arabella—they were caring for our entire family. We were all part of the same team.
As a parent, I can't perform surgeries or conduct research, but I can help raise awareness and funding so CCPR can continue changing lives the way they changed ours.
As I have since I started running, I will be running as "Bella's Mom."
Every step I take is for the child who changed my life.
We learned very early in my pregnancy that there would be complications. Walking into my 20-week ultrasound, I thought we were going to find out
whether we were having a boy or a girl. Instead, we received life-altering news. My local providers referred us to high-risk specialists at The Ohio State University, and from there we were connected with Nationwide Children's Hospital.
The goal was to keep Arabella "cooking" for as long as possible, but she decided at 32 weeks that she was ready to meet the world. From day one, she was a fighter. On day two of her life, she underwent surgeries for a feeding tube and colostomy. Over the years, she's had so many procedures that we no longer keep count. There was a time when it felt like we spent more days in the hospital than we did at home.
We later learned that, in addition to her cleft lip and palate, Arabella had VACTERL association. VACTERL is a rare condition that affects multiple body systems, and every child diagnosed with it is unique. No two journeys look exactly the same.
This year, Arabella turned 13.
Thirteen.
And she is the coolest, chillest, most resilient, kick-butt person I have ever met.
Running started as a way for me to cope—to find an outlet that would help me be the best parent I could be. I never imagined I would run races, much less fundraise for one. But three years ago, I signed up for my first half marathon, and now running has become a part of who I am. I've joined a run club, I get to run with my sister, and every day I get to show Arabella what perseverance looks like.
When we first learned something was wrong, I had no hope. I was terrified. The future felt uncertain. We heard predictions about what Arabella might never do and obstacles she might never overcome.
Arabella has spent the last 13 years proving those predictions wrong.
She has faced every obstacle placed in front of her and kept moving forward. She has shown more courage than most people will ever have to summon in a lifetime.
So when the miles get hard, I think about her.
I run because of her.
I run for her.
If you're able, please consider donating to support the Center for Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction at Nationwide Children's Hospital. And if you can't donate, sharing our story means more than you know.
Thank you for supporting Bella, our family, and the incredible team that helps children like her thrive every day.
