Those of you who know me, know two of my greatest passions are running and my job as a pediatric nurse. What most of you may not know, is that it was a Children’s hospital that saved my life before the age of one. I was born with a benign tumor in my arm which my parents were told, would go away on its own. One hot August afternoon, at ten months old, while playing at the park with my family, I became acutely ill. The doctor told my parents to drive me to Children’s Hospital in LA. He wondered if I’d survive. It was 40 miles away, and there were no freeways. While the tumor was benign, it was misdiagnosed and wasn’t going to go away on its own. I spent the next four months in isolation, with cutdowns in my feet and groin, undergoing numerous surgeries. Without skilled doctors and nurses, a specialized pediatric hospital and the grace of God, I wouldn’t be alive today. I endured a lot as a kid. But it was nothing compared to what so many others have faced or are facing today. It’s why I do what I do. And it's what keeps me going. I am thrilled to be able to combine these two passions and run the highly coveted TC 10-mile race and raise money on behalf of Children’s MN. This year not only will I run one of the most beautiful races in the country, but I will be running for the most amazing people on earth- kids!