On October 4th I will go the extra mile by running the Twin Cities Marathon and raising money on behalf of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Everyone has a story.... mine with Children's involves my brother, my dad and me.

My brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 7 years old.  Becoming an insulin dependent child was a hard journey, on him and on our family.  Because of the care and education he received at Children's, he has learned to manage a lifelong disease.  Both he and our family benefited from all the services Children's provided.  

My dad Keith and I now both work for Children's and have a combined 32 years of service.

Children's is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the country and the only system in Minnesota to provide care just to kids. Last year, Children’s treated more than 130,000 kids in the five-state region. As a nonprofit organization, Children’s relies on philanthropy. Nearly everything at Children’s is impacted by generosity, from its live in-house television programming Star Studio, to Child Life, to the Ronald McDonald House, to its private rooms to cutting-edge technology and research.

The next several months won’t be easy. I have hundreds of miles ahead of me before I reach the starting line. There will be days when I won't want to lace up my shoes and take that run. But then, I’ll remember why I’m doing this.

I’m running for kids. I’m running so they receive the best care. I’m running to support tomorrows. 

Thank you in advance for your support and as I pound the pavement I'll think of your generosity and caring heart.

Valerie