I clearly recall walking into Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis with my mom to visit my cousin Tara while she recovered from open heart surgery.  This experience inspired me to want to help others, unfortunately the following year when I was 15 years old I lost my mother to a rare form of cancer, my mother was also a nurse and losing a parent at a young age was devastating to our entire family.  I somehow managed to graduate high school with the support of my family and received my first stethoscope from my aunt as a high school graduation gift.  I truly believe my first visit to Children’s set my course for a career in nursing where I have practiced the art and science of healing at Children’s Minnesota for the last 15 years.

I am running selfishly to support my health and wellbeing as I want to see my own children’s tomorrows.  I want to be with them on the journey they are on into adulthood and to experience the joys, defeats but most importantly tomorrows.  I miss my mom every second of every day and wish I could call her on the phone or ask her how to cook a Thanksgiving meal, come to a hockey game or meet for lunch. 

This year I have decided to turn the inspiration I felt the first time I walked into Children’s into action.  Along with my goal to complete my first half marathon, I will be partnering with Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota to raise money for children and families!

There are a few things you may not know about Children’s. It’s 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 start line. There will be days when I don’t want to lace up my shoes. There will be days when I prefer sleeping in over doing my long run. 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. I’m running so no child is turned away, regardless of ability to pay.

I hope you will consider supporting me. Because when you help me, you ultimately help kids.

Thank you, Lindsay