Running for a Great Cause: The Wolfson Children’s Challenge

In September 2010, Paul and Amy Wilson were overjoyed to welcome their son Luke into the world at Baptist Medical Center Beaches. But almost immediately, the couple found out that their beautiful baby boy was born with spina bifida, an abnormality of the spinal cord that sometimes causes a portion of it to be exposed. Without corrective surgery, Luke faced possible problems with his muscles and joints in the lower portion of his body, and loss of control of his bladder and bowel from potential damage to his spinal cord and spinal nerves.

“Instant joy turned to instant fear and terror,” said Paul Wilson. “I could feel my legs giving out from under me. I couldn’t believe it.”

Luke required immediate, life-saving surgery, and was transferred via Kids Kare Mobile Intensive Care Unit to Wolfson Children’s Hospital. There, he underwent two corrective spinal surgeries that proved successful, ensuring Luke would grow up to lead a normal and healthy life. The Wilsons were grateful beyond words. In fact, Paul was so appreciative of what the team at Wolfson Children’s had done for his son that wanted to find a way to give back. An avid runner, he hatched a plan.

“I thought, I can run a little bit to raise money and give thanks,” said Wilson. “Little did I know it would be so successful.”

Luke and Paul Wilson

 

The Wolfson Children’s Challenge

Wilson motivated others to run to raise money for the hospital, and the Wolfson Children’s Challenge was born. Runners from all over the community came together for the cause, some doing the entire 55-K course (34.1 miles), and others participating on a 55-K relay team or the 1-mile Fun Run. The number 55 represents 1955, the year Wolfson Children’s Hospital opened its doors.

The event grew leaps and bounds over what Wilson had imagined, and the annual event continues to draw crowds each January who enjoy the outdoors, camaraderie and the chance to raise money for children in need. Now in its seventh year, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge has raised more than $2 million thanks to the individuals, companies, and other groups who support the event.

 

Why We Run: Marjorie’s Story

Every year, Wolfson Children’s Hospital cares for more than 80,000 children with all kinds of health care needs. One of those children was Marjorie Dempsey, who was born prematurely at 27 weeks in October 2014, weighing only one pound and 15 ounces. She spent 68 days in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Wolfson Children’s before she was ready to be sent home with her parents Jordan and McCall, in mid-December. All was well until May 2015, when at seven months old, Marjorie was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that usually starts in the adrenal gland, the organ that makes the hormones that control blood pressure, heart rate and other functions. The mass on her adrenal gland had spread to her liver, and she quickly started chemotherapy treatment.

Thanks to her fighting spirit and the extraordinary family and Wolfson Children’s Hospital team members surrounding her, Marjorie is healthy and thriving today. Cynthia Gauger, MD, a pediatric hematologist/ oncologist with Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, and the baby girl’s dedicated health care team at Wolfson Children’s, are determined to help “Miraculous” Marjorie – and other kids like her – keep winning this battle.

Marjorie

How You Can Help

In addition to the 55-K Ultra Marathon, there is a 55-K relay, great for teams and corporations to sponsor a team; a 30-K (18.6 mile) Individual Run, great for marathon training; and a 1-mile Fun Run, and ideal race for kids and their families. Even if you’re not a runner, you can still be a part of the Wolfson Children’s Challenge on January 30, 2016, at Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. You can become a sponsor, make a donation, or just bring your family out for lots of fun activities and entertainment. Other fun family events will be going on during the day, including a live performance by country singer Justen Harden from The Voice, other local performers, clowns and Wolfie, the Wolfson Children’s mascot.

Because Wolfson Children’s Hospital is the area’s only full-service hospital for children in the region, we treat thousands of children each year from emergency room visits and routine surgeries to life-saving heart surgeries and cancer treatments. Fulfilling the request of our founder Morris David Wolfson, all children are treated regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. It’s because of the generosity of our community that we are able to provide these vital health care services to children in North Florida, Southeast Georgia and beyond.

Thousands of people join in each year, and all proceeds from the event are used to purchase life-saving medical equipment and to fund a technology support endowment. To register for a run or learn more, visit wolfsonchildrenschallenge.org.

Thank you to Wolfson Children’s Hospital for sponsoring this post.

Wolfson Challenge

 

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