Brianna is a 2nd grader diagnosed with a rare heart condition: restrictive cardiomyopathy. She needs a heart transplant to continue growing into the woman she is destined to be.
Subscribe to follow campaign updates!
If you just got an email from me with HTML code ... it obviously was a mistake... apologies!
Brianna is a sweet and lovely second grader who would get short of breath when exercising. After some research, an x-ray showed Brianna suffered from a rare heart condition Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. Her current heart will not support Brianna and she is on the waiting list for a heart transplant. The news was as shocking as it was sudden. Within weeks the family moved to be near the Shands Heart Clinic at the University Of Florida/Gainesville. Their life has been turned upside down as they wait for a new heart before any damage to other organs.
If you are a runner as we are, you know about heart rates. We have felt our hearts coming out of our throats when we push hard, and we learn to pace ourselves so that we can go further. How many races are you running this season? How much have you invested in training, shoes, race fees, transportation, and FOOD? Why not tag just a bit more and help Brianna get a new heart. One that can run her body for the rest of a long and fruitful life. The estimated out of pocket expenses for the Medina family associated with the transplant is approximately $60,000.
Here in Miami we have the Marathon and Half Marathon, but there is the Ft. Lauderdale A1A, the All State 13.1 on South Beach and countless 5ks. I am sure that where you live there are a bunch of running races too. For each race, pledge to raise some amount for Brianna. Big or small, it all counts. Every time you tie your laces, think of this little girl needing a new heart.
There are three ways to help:
1) Donate here
2) Be a supporter and share Brianna's story on your social media networks
3) Commit to fundraise a certain amount. There is a button on the right hand side of your screen to fundraise. It takes just a couple of minutes and you can set as big or as small a goal you would like.
If you have any questions or need any information, just let me know at [email protected].
All funds collected here will be deposited with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity based in Bloomington, Indiana and dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients. COTA’s services are completely free of charge and 100% of funds generated by COTA community fundraising campaigns are available for transplant-related expenses.
Together we can help the Medina family get through this with one less worry on their minds. And who knows, maybe all this heart talk will help our own hearts as we chase our running goals.
More information on Brianna can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/hopeforbri
Thank you.
Sign in with your Facebook account or email.
If you just got an email from me with HTML code ... it obviously was a mistake... apologies!
Sign in with your Facebook account or email.
This is the deal ... Brianna's family is in for a long haul. This is one way we can help, by doing what we love to do with a purpose. So if you are a runner doing any race this season, sign up to be a fundraiser. Then pass the message around and get your friends to sponsor your running feats. And when you are struggling at mile 18 or think your heart is popping out of your neck breaking your PR at a 5k, think how lucky we are to have a healthy heart to support us, and how we can help Brianna have one too so she can run, dance and jump to her hearts' content.
Sign in with your Facebook account or email.