At four years old, I constantly battled being sick. My pediatrician recommended that I have a routine outpatient surgery to remove my tonsils in order to improve my health. Immediately following the surgery, I had a rare event occur called Post Obstructive Pulmonary Edema. My airway collapsed and my skin turned blue. I was rushed by ambulance to Children’s Hospital where a team of surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists were waiting for me. There, I was placed in a medically induced coma and intubated to keep me breathing. It wasn’t until nearly a week later that I awoke and was greeted by not only my family, but a collection of teddy bears, blankets, toys and thoughtful notes that helped ease my mind during a state of confusion and disorientation. 

 

Through this experience, I have an incredible appreciation not only for the incredible physicians at Children’s Hospital, but also the wonderful specialists and staff who helped me through the most traumatic event of my life. From this love and appreciation, I created my own 501(c)3 organization: “Cheering On Children’s”; an advocacy campaign for hospitalized children and their families.  Cheering on Children’s has two main objectives:  to offer support and financial assistance to hospitalized children through Child Life Programs, and to advocate and provide for the immediate needs of their families through a direct partnership with The Ronald McDonald House.

 

Today, I am proud to offer support to those who helped me through my darkest hours. 

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