I will WALK. RUN. FUNDRAISE. to support Phoenix Children’s and I hope that you will join me! The PCH5K and Kids’ Dash brings the community together in support of patients at Phoenix Children's. 

Many of the vital programs and services offered are funded solely through donations by individuals and organizations. KIDS CAN’T WAIT. Phoenix Children’s is committed to ensuring every resource is available to care for our community’s most vulnerable children.    

I truly appreciate you helping me reach my fundraising goal! Any amount that you give today makes a better tomorrow. Every dollar counts. Together we are making a difference.

This will be my first 5K run… going from couch to 5k in 8 weeks.  While the motivation for this 53-year-old was to simply improve his health to keep up with his four very active kids, I can’t think of a better first time run for me to support than the PCH 5K.

In 2005 our 10 month old daughter was diagnosed with Intussusception a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine. This telescoping action often blocks food or fluid from passing through. Intussusception also cuts off the blood supply to the part of the intestine that's affected. Symptoms include sudden, loud crying that comes and goes every 15 to 20 minutes, vomiting, and stool mixed with blood and mucus.  Its very rare with fewer than 20,000 US cases per year.

At the time we had no idea what was ailing our daughter, the pediatrician had diagnosed her with a virus of some sort.  As her conditioned severely worsened we were instructed to take her immediately to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.   There, using X-rays, she was diagnosed and immediately admitted and prepped for an emergency procedure.  It is possible to push the intestine back into place using an enema. If this fails, surgery may be needed and likely require removal of part of her intestine.

I'm very happy to report, our daughter is now a high school scholar athlete.  Without the devotion of PCH her life may have turned out much different.