Lindsey Runs Miles to Deliver Smiles
Hospital visits and long stays can often feel burdensome and isolating. For sick kids, time spent at the doctor or in the hospital means they miss out on the fun and magic of being a kid. Starlight Mom, Lindsey, has seen this firsthand with both of her children, Evan and Olivia.
Lindsey’s oldest, Evan, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) before he was born, which means he has experienced many doctor visits, testing, and more. Then in 2020, her youngest, Olivia, was found to have a small tumor in her brain and received an epilepsy diagnosis, which resulted in several stays in the hospital.
Each of these experiences showed Lindsey how isolating it can be to have a seriously ill child.
“It’s very easy to feel isolated and helpless when your child is in the hospital. I vividly remember sitting outside on a bench one night. I looked up at all of the windows, and it took my breath away. As I realized how many children were there, my heart broke into pieces.”
- Lindsey
Lindsey’s experiences with her children’s hospital and doctor’s visits are what motivated her to take action. Her journey began with her fundraising for the CF Foundation, raising over $100,000 in 10 years, and has since expanded to fundraising for Starlight.
“I scrolled down the list of charities supporting the [runDisney Disney Princess Half Marathon] and realized I may have found my purpose!”
- Lindsey
She described a real connection with Starlight and our mission of delivering happiness to seriously ill children and their families. Her own experience of not having anyone to speak with about her children’s illnesses, or having anyone who really understood what she was going through, has truly motivated her to provide support for families dealing with similar situations.
"I believe that making the lives of the kids and caregivers going through some of the most difficult times in their lives just a little easier is one of the most important things we can do for them. Seeing your child recovering from surgery or crying in pain is heartbreaking beyond what I can explain. But seeing them smile and lighten up even if only for a moment, can give a renewed sense of hope that is vital to surviving this type of situation."
