My team
My Story…
I have been a supporter of Live 4 Evan for a number of years now and just before last year's Falmouth Road Race, my wife and I were blessed with our now one-year-old daughter, Jordyn. Becoming parents has made this cause and our participation in the Falmouth Road Race that much more special to us.
While welcoming Jordyn into the world was an exciting time for us, it was also a little scary. Late in my wife's pregnancy, our daughter was diagnosed with pre-natal Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). Simply put, it is a condition in which the heart beats at a much more rapid rate than normal. As part of the treatment for this condition, we had to stay in the NICU for an additional week after Jordyn was born.
(NICU, June 2023)
Fortunately, this condition was not life-threatening, and it has since been sorted out. However, as first time parents, it was still scary. I especially remember when the nurses told us after she was born that the hospital had limited room capacity and that we might not be able to stay with our daughter while being treated in the NICU. This was a very difficult thought to accept. All we wanted in those days after she was born was to be with her. Shortly thereafter we were VERY fortunate to learn that we would be able to claim a last-minute boarding room just down the hall from the NICU for a few nights. This helped cover our stay, saved us long commutes or hotel fees, and most importantly, it kept us a hallway away from our baby.
(Jordyn and our Lab, Barley)
Being separated from your child when they need you the most is an unsettling thought. Unfortunately, there are many families out there currently who are dealing with the stress and challenges of finding places to stay while their children receive extensive care at hospitals. The emotional and financial struggles that this can present are real. This is where Live 4 Evan comes into the picture.
Live 4 Evan helps families stay together by providing temporary housing solutions for families of children being treated at Boston Children's Hospital for congenital heart disease. Each year, Live4Evan receives around 250 applications for temporary housing and unfortunately 84% of these applications need to be turned away due to demand. This is where we need your support. Please consider donating or help us by sharing the cause via your networks--every bit goes a long way!
(Jordyn, May 2024--almost 1 year old!)
Thank you for your support and consideration!
-Marc Steir
Description
ABOUT US: The Live4Evan Organization was formed out of a desire to recognize and support the critical relationship between a child and their loved ones. We believe that there is no greater gift to be given than a parent’s love to a child. We understand the importance of staying by a child’s side without having to worry about the additional burdens that life can place on us. And so, our organization works tirelessly to provide financial and emotional support to families by providing them with temporary housing while their child receives congenital cardiac treatment.
The Falmouth Road Race has been a crucial fundraiser for Live4Evan for the past 6 years. Over this time, the Live4Evan team members have collectively raised over $500,000. Thanks in large part to these efforts, Live4Evan is currently providing SIX patient-family apartments for families traveling to Boston for pediatric cardiac care. These apartments are next to Boston Children's Hospital and offer calm and comfort in the midst of such a difficult time. The close proximity to the hospital ensures that caretakers can be at their loved ones bedside in a moment's notice. The need for patient-family housing is critical and Live4Evan is committed to increasing our apartment portfolio in order to help additional families.
OUR STORY: Live4Evan was founded in memory of Evan Girardi, who passed away his senior year of college from a heart arrhythmia. Evan was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) known as Corrected L-Transposition of the Great Arteries. Despite his heart condition, Evan lived his life to the fullest. Rather than allow Evan’s passing to put an end to the life and legacy that Evan had built, his friends and family formed Live4Evan to serve as a testament to the power of relationships and the importance of having loved ones by your side.
Watch our video to learn more about the Live4Evan Organization by clicking HERE or by visiting our website.
DONATE: If you would like to make a donation, support one of our runners below or send a check to LIVE4EVAN at P.O. Box 845 Hopkinton, MA 01748
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 18 | Jeremy and Meghan Whittle | $55.35 |
| Aug 17 | Anonymous | $28.10 |
| Aug 17 | Karen Lane | $55.35 |
| Aug 17 | Lisa and Mark Gardell | $55.35 |
| Aug 16 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| Aug 15 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| Aug 13 | Dan Foley | Undisclosed amount |
| Aug 12 | Dan and Darci | Undisclosed amount |
| Aug 12 | The Carchedis | Undisclosed amount |
| Aug 12 | Julia | $28.10 |
