It’s time to meet our first group of 2022 Marathon Mile Champions!
Every year, 24 patients treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are selected to line each mile of the race, share their story and inspire others. Each Marathon Mile Champion picks a theme for their mile and is looking forward to celebrating with you on race day. We know that reading their stories will give you that extra motivation you need to finish your training strong.
Here are the Marathon Mile Champions for the miles 1-5:
Cayden is on Mile Marker #1!
Age on Race Day: 7
Diagnosis: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
Mile Marker Theme: Christmas
Cayden was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) within his first few hours of life and spent 839 days at Nationwide Children’s Hospital before being taken home for the first time. Here's a link to his full story.
Jenna is on Mile Marker #2!
Age on Race Day: 21
Diagnosis: CDG Type 1A, Multiple Brain Tumors
Mile Marker Theme: Jammin’ with Jenna
Jenna was diagnosed with a rare condition called Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG) and then, at nine years old, brain surgery was required to remove two brain tumors (one that covered ¼ of her brain). Here’s a link to her full story.
Auron is on Mile Marker #3!
Age on Race Day: 9
Diagnosis: Coffin-Siris Syndrome
Mile Marker Theme: DUPLO Lego Blocks
Auron was diagnosed with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS), a disease so rare that he is one in 400 people worldwide with the condition. Although completely non-verbal, Auron is a social butterfly and loves to meet new friends. Here’s a link to his full story.
Ethan is Mile Marker #4!
Age on Race Day: 6
Diagnosis: Pediatric Scleroderma
Mile Marker Theme: Football
Ethan was diagnosed with Pediatric Scleroderma (Morphea), an autoimmune disease that can cause deformities to one’s face. He was diagnosed and started treatment before starting kindergarten. Here’s a link to his full story.
Landon is Mile Marker #5!
Age on Race Day: 9
Diagnosis: Hip Dysplasia, Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Mile Marker Theme: Frogs
Landon’s noticeable limp and inability to put any weight on his leg baffles doctors who have narrowed it down to one of two conditions: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, or multiple hip dysplasia. Landon is also diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a chronic, allergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus that has no cure. Here’s a link to his full story.
Stay tuned to learn more about the incredible Marathon Mile Champions you’ll see along the course!