In April 2018 my 12-year-old daughter got a migraine headache which lasted for almost 3 months. Three long months. If you don’t know, migraines are debilitating. They make it impossible for you to function normally, and it is very scary. During that time, all she could do was sit alone in a dark quiet room day and night trying to stay calm so the headache wouldn’t get worse. She missed a lot of school and she was suffering a great deal. As a parent, you want to fix everything for your children so they are happy and carefree. After these painful months, we weren’t sure how to fix it, or if she would ever get better. We visited many physicians and health systems, and finally arrived at CHOP, to the extraordinary care of their technicians, administrators, physicians and nurses. Now, after five months of doctor visits and personal endurance, my daughter is almost back to her happy (now) 13-year-old self.
In honor of Alexa and the other 10% of school-age children who experience pediatric migraines, I decided to take on the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim challenge, a 48-mile endeavor through the Grand Canyon in hopes of raising awareness of this issue. On my journey, I took away some big life lessons, including digging deep and finding that motivation to keep pushing even when you want to give up, just like Alexa did.
We began this campaign back in the fall, hoping to raise $25,000 for CHOP to strengthen caregivers’ resources so that they could share their expertise and experience with other health systems and pediatric migraine institutions across the world. Since then, I am proud to say that we have exceeded our initial $25,000 goal, but we’re not done yet. Because of the amazing response to our efforts, we are raising our goal to $100,000!
To those who have helped us come thus far, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without you, we would not be able to realize the impact we’ve made in raising funds and awareness for a serious, ongoing condition that takes a toll on our children. Because of you, we know that our new goal is possible.
Please help me continue to make a difference by donating what your means allow. May God bless you always.
Keith DiMarino / TEAM DocuVault
https://rootsrated.com/stories/what-it-s-like-to-run-the-grand-canyon-rim-to-rim-rim
Get The Word Out
https://chop.donordrive.com/campaign/Keith-DiMarino