About a year ago, I decided it was time to make a change. As I turned 40, I wanted to be healthy and strong, not just for me, but for my three little guys who deserved a fit and happy parent. I reached my goals of completing a triathlon, losing over 30 pounds and running my first event, the Twin Cities 10 mile, for Team Superstars. What I learned was that the biggest accomplishment wasn’t the weight loss, or even all the miles and races, it was challenging myself to push beyond my limits, and to do it in the service of raising money for kids. What I learned running for Team Superstars was that each step I took, each mile I logged, and every obstacle I faced had SO much more meaning knowing the impact it would have on the health and lives of kids. I had to keep running, especially when I felt like giving up on race day at mile 8, because not only were my friends and family and colleagues who had donated money counting on me, but all the kids who would be impacted by the donations were counting on me too. Overall last year, I raised over $8000 for Child and Family Services, thanks to your encouragement and generosity.

I had such an amazing experience running for Team Superstars last fall that I knew I had to do it again this year. And since I have too many competitive bones in my body to count, this year I have to go farther and go bigger than I did before. I have decided to up the challenge in two ways, by upping my miles and committing to run the Grandma’s Half Marathon in June, AND by committing to raise more money this year than last. My fundraising goal this year is ambitious ($10,000) but I know I can do it. I know WE can do it.

I could not be more proud to work for Children’s Minnesota. In addition to delivering the highest-quality, family-centered care, we are a unique place that truly puts kids first. ALL kids first. At Children’s Minnesota, no child or family is ever turned away for their inability to pay. Last year, funds from the Children’s Foundation helped over 2,000 families with their hospital bills. We also look out for the whole child and family, especially through our vibrant and committed Child and Family Services department who provide family resources, social work assistance, interpreter services and specialized pediatric child life care. As one example of their work, in 2016 our food pantry program distributed 9,603 meals to patient families. We also speak our families’ language. In 2016, Children’s had 90,598 interpreter interactions between care teams and interpreters, and provided interpreting services in 78 different languages.

In this time during which children need us to stand up and speak out for them more than ever, I am excited and proud to be running to raise money for Children’s, and in particular, for our Child and Family services programs and team. As a final call to action, here is my challenge: if you can help me reach my fundraising goal of $10,000, I am pledging to match that goal with my own donation. Help get me to $10K and I will match it with a $10K donation.  Please join me in ensuring our patients get the best possible care, and give what you can to help me on this fundraising journey and help the kids and families at Children’s.