 |
It's hard to believe that it has been almost six years since our daughter Natalia was born, and our family became intimately acquainted with Children's Hospital Boston.
Natalia was born with a congenital heart defect. The defect was first revealed in utero, when my wife had an ultrasound to check on growth. Natalia was in fact growth restricted and we were told "there may be something wrong with her heart".
Within twenty four hours of her birth at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Natalia was transferred to the cardiac ICU at Children's Hospital, where she went through extensive testing and imaging to determine the extent of her congenital heart defect. She was diagnosed with an interrupted aortic arch, ASD and VSD, along with multiple other vascular irregularities. We were told she would need open heart surgery.
The thought of our little newborn, who only weighed 5lbs 8oz, undergoing such a dangerous surgery, was overwhelming. However, being at Children's Hospital, where they do this surgery on a daily basis and where patients come from all over the world seeking out the expertise of the cardiologists and surgeons at Children's Hospital, gave us some comfort.
The days leading up to the surgery and days after are a blur, but we felt well taken care of by all the wonderful professionals at Children's Hospital, from the support staff, clergy, and of course, the doctors and nurses. Natalia was finally discharged home on day sixteen of life, but we knew we still had a long road ahead.
Natalia's first few years of life were frequented by visits to Children's Hospital. She underwent two cardiac catheterizations to dilate her aorta, three sets of tubes in her ears, a week's admission for a respiratory virus, as well as several ER visits with exacerbation of asthma. Although we don't like having to go to Children's Hospital, we are comforted in knowing she is being cared for "by the best".
Today Natalia is a vibrant, resilient, loving five year old, who you would never know she had such a hard start!
Deciding to run the Boston marathon for Children's Hospital, is my way of giving back to all those who helped save our daughter Natalia. I have pledged to raise $5,000.00, but anything above would be fantastic! Please support me in my goal.
Thank you so much,
Fernando Diaz
My sponsors to date:
| Name | Amount | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Moore | $50 | You did it! |
| Garrett Komiskey | $50 | way to go |
| David Fatula | $50 | |
| Andrew Deal | $25 | Good luck, Fernando! |
| Stephane Simondi | $100 | Good luck to you this Saturday Fernando. We will be cheering for you from Montreal. Steph, Claire, Lucca and Siena |
| Tamara Brown | $20 | |
| Dana CVRK | $50 | Best of luck, Fernando!!!! What a great cause! |
| Glynnis Gracia | $60 | Good luck, Fernando, and remember... just keep running! You're going to rock this! |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| Carlynn Finn | $50 | Best of luck! |
| Ethan Case | $50 | |
| Adam Portnoy | $250 | |
| Elaine Blais | $100 | Good luck Fernando!! |
| Homesite Group Incorporated Matching Gift | $50 | |
| Laura Perry | $50 | Good luck with the run!! |
| Lisa Purcell Cunningham | $25 | Whoop Woo!! |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| tim cronin | $50 | Go Fernando go! |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| REIT Management & Research LLC | $250 | |
| Carolyn Wiesenhahn | $300 | Fernando, we are so proud of you and happy to be able to contribute! Love, the Wiesenhahns |
| Erin Morano | $100 | What a great cause. Good luck in the race! |
| T.D. Thompson | $150 | I'll be there on Heartbreak Hill cheering for you as well! |
| Justine Willard | $100 | Good luck! |
| Elisabeth Simondi | $100 | Dear Fernando, I will never forget the heartbreaking news of Natalia's condition when she was born. I am glad that she is now doing so well and I wish her continuous good health. Enjoy the run! With all our love, J.J., Elisabeth and Katrina Rose. |
| Michael O'Hanlon | $25 | |
| Anonymous | $50 | Love the idea primo! Here is my token of support and hope to catch up with you soon. |
| Kevin McKenna | $100 | You da man - What a great story and fundraiser. Remind me not to run with you in the next Corporate Challenge though - there's no way I could keep up with a marathoner. |
| Karen Jacoppo-Wood | $250 | Good luck Fernando! |
| Mark Kleifges | $250 | Good luck! |
| Gul Yanmaz-Karsligil | $250 | Good luck, and good run! |
| John Griffin | $50 | Great cause! Thank you for stepping up. Hope you have a great run. |
| Murat Sensoy | $20 | |
| Romeo and Anita Simondi | $200 | Dear Fernando we are happy to sponsor you .We will never forget the wonderful care that Natalia received at the Children's Hospital Boston Thank you! |
| Jennifer Francis | $100 | Good luck! |
| Meagan Jennings | $50 | Such a worthy cause. Best of luck, Fernando! |
| Luis Ferreira | $50 | Mira ve, mucho animo Fercho! |
| David Hegarty | $500 | Good Luck Fernando! |
| Jennifer Clark | $100 | Go Fernando! |
| Victoria Quiroga-Halpin | $25 | Veo que descansaste de NY. Buena suerte. Tu si puedes |
| Richard Doyle | $250 | Good luck |
| David Blackman | $100 | |
| William Sheehan | $500 | Have a great run for a worthy institution! |
| Renee Newport | $20 | |
| Todd Hargreaves | $25 | |
| Liliana Rosselli-Risal | $100 | Que causa mas hermosa. Estamos muy orgullosos de ti. Felicitaciones y mucha suerte! |
| Andres Echeverri | $50 | |
| Mark Blais | $100 | Good luck, Fernando! |
| Beth Witte | $100 | |
| Carole Stockmon | $50 | Happy to support you! We've spent alot of time at Childrens Hospital and their nursing staff is the best! |
| John Murray | $500 | |
| Matt Pace | $100 | Wishing you pain-free training and a great race day. Glad to hear Natalia is doing well. Like you, Children's Hospital will always have a big place in our hearts. |
| Keith Mills | $50 | Thank you for running and reaching out to ask for donations, Fernando. I am happy to learn that Natalia is doing so well. Success in the marathon! |
| Aleksey Levitskiy | $50 | Great cause! Good luck my friend! |
| Debbie Blais | $100 | What a wonderful way to give back Fernando. Natalia is sunch a beautiful child! |
| Lara Diaz | $100 | I'm so proud of you! Remember to eat, eat, eat, then you can run, run, run! Love you! |
| Erica Moore | $25 | Go Fernando Go!! |
| Deborah Milbauer | $25 | Suerte!!!!!! |
| Contact: |
Stacy Devine |
| Phone: | (617) 355-2896 |
| Email: | run@chtrust.org |
| Contact: |
Alison Lewinter |
| Phone: | (857) 218-3568 |
| Email: | run@chtrust.org |
Click on the icons below to share this page using Facebook, Twitter, or Email.
300 Longwood Avenue | Boston, MA 02115
617-355-6000 | Contact Us