Help Dan raise money

This August, I'll be running my fifth Falmouth Road Race in support of Project Sweet Peas, an organization that holds a very special place in my family's heart.

In 2013, my wife and I welcomed our first son into the world far sooner than expected. He was born at just 27 weeks and weighed less than two pounds. Instead of bringing him home, we spent the next 107 days making daily trips to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Those 107 days were filled with uncertainty, hope, and countless acts of compassion from the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and caregivers who cared for our son. Like so many NICU families, we experienced the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that come with an extended hospital stay.

Today, our son is a healthy, thriving young man, and every year I run the Falmouth Road Race as a way of giving back and honoring the journey that brought us here.

Project Sweet Peas is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting families with premature or critically ill infants and families affected by pregnancy and infant loss. They provide NICU care packages, family support, peer-to-peer connections, educational resources, financial assistance, remembrance programs, and other services that help families feel supported during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

This year, my goal is to raise $1,500 to help Project Sweet Peas continue serving NICU families across the country, including many here in New England. The Southern New England chapter supports families at hospitals, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where our son's journey began.

Whether you choose to donate $10, $25, $50, or more, every contribution helps provide hope, comfort, and practical support to families who need it most.

Thank you for supporting this cause that means so much to our family. Your generosity truly makes a difference.

With gratitude,

Dan Helbach