I've seen Paul Marvin at a couple races and he thought I might enjoy running a race for a great cause. I've never ran a full marathon but that's what I signed up for. What a great incentive.

Paul and Maureen's daughter, Mary Kate, has Down Syndrome and an associated congenital heart defect.  At the age of 3 months, she had open heart surgery to repair faulty valves in her heart.  At the age of two, she suffered a near-fatal renal kidney failure.  She made an against-the-odds recovery, but the stress of that kidney failure “blew out” her repaired heart valves, forcing her to endure another open heart surgery a few months later.  She has never looked backed, growing healthy, strong, and happy every day since.  She is now almost 6 years old.  She has changed our lives in ways we could never have dreamed of, and continues to be a wondrous blessing to all those who get to be in her presence. 

At every step of Mary Kate’s journey has been Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota.  This amazing organization is more than world-class pediatrics.  It is a resource, refuge, and source of inspiration for thousands of kids and families.  A few facts about Children’s:

• One of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States—with two hospitals, 12 primary and specialty care clinics and six rehabilitation sites
• The only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children from before birth through young adulthood
• An award-winning health system, regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital

As a result of Mary Kate’s interactions at Children’s, I found my way to the Board of Directors that govern the Hospital’s mission and operations.  It has been my honor to serve for 3 years, and I will begin my 2nd 3-year term in 2017. 

So, here is the opportunity:  Children’s sponsors “Team Superstars”.  Any runner can be a part of Team Superstars by pledging to raise either $750 (full marathon) or $1000 (half marathon).  In exchange for that pledge and your regular entry fee, you get guaranteed entry into Grandma’s (not always an easy task, especially the half marathon), cool perks like a Superstars shirt and a special Superstars reception at the race, and most of all, you get the satisfaction of knowing you are helping contribute to an organization that serves thousands of kids every year in life-saving and life-changing ways.  And although many of these kids’ families lack insurance or financial resources to pay, Children’s of MN never turns away a child in need of critical care.  When your mission is to save lives, ability to pay does not enter into the equation.  That is part of the reason philanthropy is so important to Children’s.