Why We Walk for Children’s: Patient Champion Stories

Each year, Walk for Children’s brings together thousands of families, staff, and supporters to rally behind patients at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. More than that, Walk for Children’s is our largest fundraising event of the year. Patients, families, staff, businesses, and community members work hard for months to raise critical funds for our patients, who we call our “champions.”

This year, Walk for Children’s is on Saturday, June 8. Register today to join in the celebration!

Hear from some of our patient champions below to learn more about why we Walk for Children’s.

Carmin and Kassidy

“I love going to Walk for Children’s with the Hearing Center. There is so much to do and see. I liked doing all of the activities like playing with bubbles. My favorite part is getting to meet all the other deaf and hard of hearing kids. It is cool to see all the different hearing aids! I even made a new friend and had a playdate after the Walk. Walk for Children’s with the Hearing Center is so much fun. I can’t wait to go again this year!” – Kassidy

“As a parent with a child who has hearing loss, I attend Walk every year not only to support my daughter Kassidy, but to support all other kids. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Kassidy and for myself to engage and meet new families not only in our school district, but from all over. I also participate in this Walk for Kassidy to remind her every day that she is not alone.” – Carmin

 

Have you registered for Walk for Children’s yet? Register here and join us on Saturday, June 8!
 

Streno Family

Hello, we are the Streno’s! We have been blessed to be a part of the UPMC Children’s family since 2020, when our son was born with clubfoot. Reydan went through a series of casting, bracing and a tenotomy procedure. He is now three and a half and still receiving care from UPMC Children’s.

In February 2023, we had our daughter, Adelena who was diagnosed with a heart defect known as AVSD. We spent a lot of her first year of life at appointments and getting to know the heart teams at UPMC Children’s. In July of 2023 she had open heart surgery to repair the AVSD, and she continues to follow up with cardiology at UPMC Children’s.

We have witnessed first-hand the miracles and care provided at UPMC Children’s and hope to help them make the STRIDE to continue to provide top care. That is why we are walking this year with our own team, the Streno Stride Squad. Please consider joining the walk or donating so families like our will have the amount of support and resources that we have had.

Walk for Children’s is Saturday, June 8!

Register today at walkforchildrens.org. We can’t wait to walk with you!