$785.00

In 2017, I sat on the 9th floor of the PICU listening to the endless beeps of machines wondering what I could possibly do to help my then 14-month-old son, Keenan, overcome his seizures. 

At around 15 months, Keenan underwent 2 brain surgeries a week apart from one another, more MRIs than I can count, a VNS implantation surgery and he ultimately ended up with a G-tube. He functioned as a 3-month-old even though his spirited laugh and personality soared beyond his years. 

As I sat in that small corner next to Keenan's hospital bed and counted that day to be day 141 of what would be 196 days total, I learned NYU FACES had a team to run the NYC Marathon. The purpose would be to raise dollars to help individuals like Keenan. I had never run anything close to a marathon, but I did have a healthy pair of legs and a very desperate heart. I asked to join the team and trained hoping to raise enough funds to beat the clock that Keenan was up against. The marathon was slated for November 4, 2018. 

Two and a half weeks before the 2018 marathon, he took his last breath in my arms as I sang 'Jesus loves me' to him.

There are children (and parents), powering through today, just like Keenan did. It would take more than a couple paragraphs to truly tell Keenan's story and most importantly, how we had more time with him because of Dr. Devinsky and the NYULMC staff. When other hospitals gave up on Keenan, NYULMC kept aggressively trying to not only save him, but also sat us down to discuss quality of life over quantity. 

I cannot run for my son anymore. However, I can run for those families sitting in that same PICU, those same children wanting to go home and swim in their pool, or those parents grieving as they walk by a playground afraid their child will never be able to simply go to it, (just as I did). 

In the spirit of Keenan and his beautiful laugh, and in support of what NYULMC is capable of for the children, I ask that you join me.