We are participating in this walk to raise money for the neonatal program because of a special little girl named Brandi. Brandi was born on September 21, 2013 with Gastroschisis, a hernia-like birth defect which allowed her internal organs to protrude through a hole in her abdomen wall. During recovery from the surgery to repair the defect, she was diagnosed with a life threatening illness call Necrotizing Enterocolitis, which is the death and inflammation of the bowels. Brandi recovered from this too and was released from the NICU after almost 2 months.

Unfortunately, her story doesn't stop here. Brandi was readmitted just a few days later with the same illness and underwent surgery to inspect her intestines for perforations. Luckily, she was completely intact so they closed her up and started the healing process again. Brandi recovered faster this time and was released again.

Her story still doesn't stop here. Brandi was readmitted again with RSV within a week of her discharge. She, yet again, beat that illness and finally left Children's on Decembr 31, 2014.

Today, Brandi loves to eat peas, crackers, and pasta. Her favorite pasttimes are reading books, chasing her siblings around, and running across the room to give her family hugs. These things would not be possible if it wasn't for the amazing care she received from her Neonatal team of doctors and nurses.