This October, I’ll be running the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Inova Children’s Hospital NICU in Fairfax, Virginia. One in 10 babies in the United States is born prematurely, and if you made it here it’s likely you know our family’s story.
Our son, Keegan, was born 10 weeks early after complications in utero and an intestinal perforation that required surgery. In an instant, our lives completely changed. Keegan was born at Inova Alexandria Hospital but was quickly transferred to Inova Fairfax Children’s Hospital, where he underwent surgery and spent the next 57 days. We owe his survival to that critical transfer and the extraordinary care he received there.
The nurses and doctors in the NICU didn’t just take care of Keegan—they carried my wife and me through those days, too. They became family to us, explaining every procedure and medical decision, answering our endless questions, and picking up the phone at 3 a.m. when we called just to check in and make sure he was okay.
The doctors, nurses, and staff at Inova Children’s care for some of the hospital’s most medically fragile patients with incredible skill, compassion, and grace. Every donation helps the NICU continue providing exceptional care to premature and critically ill newborns and support to the families beside them.
Keegan came home because an extraordinary team was there when he needed them most. This October, I’m running 26.2 miles for them—and for babies and families like ours who will need that same care in the future.
Now that Keegan is a happy, healthy 10-month old, we want to take the opportunity we can to give back and bring awareness to these wonderful doctors, nurses and staff that supported us.
If you’re able to donate, thank you. Every mile will be run in gratitude for the people who helped bring our son home, for Keegan, and of course our family and friends who supported us throughout!
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