Dear Friends,

Welcome to my fundraising page! I am participating in the Miracles in Motion 5K/1-Mile Walk, benefiting Johns Hopkins Children's Center. By supporting me, you are supporting patient-and-family-centered care, education, and research efforts for more than 100,000 patients seen at the Children's Center each year. 

Our world flipped upside down on February 26, 2025 when a routine eye exam revealed there was substantial pressure on the optic nerves of our youngest  granddaughter. Visibly shaken, the Optometrist gave Jess and Ian his personal cell phone number and told them to call him if they had trouble getting a follow up appointment or told them they could head to an Emergency Room to “kick this off now”. Early the next morning they headed to the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center where pressure on her optic nerves was confirmed and the search to determine the cause began. On February 27th following an MRI of the brain we received the Earth shattering news that there was a “large, abnormal mass” sitting at the back of her brain near the spinal cord. It was in an area that was considered “life threatening” due to its proximity to her airway. We were told they weren’t leaving the hospital until they knew what it was, and had a plan to get it out. Things moved quickly after that and Mia was slotted for emergency neurosurgery early on February 28th. Dr. Alan Cohen saved or granddaughters life. 9 restless hours later he brought Mia back to her PICU room and had even taken the time to make her bandage match her favorite stuffed animal that he let her bring into the OR.

The detailed pathology of the tumor, by neurosurgery and oncology determined that no further treatment will be needed. 

Please consider making a donation to my page to improve the lives of patients and families receiving care at Johns Hopkins Children's Center!