Since being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at age eight and hearing about my older brother undergoing open heart surgery at seven days old to repair his congenital heart defect, I have organized and participated in a variety of activities and patient and donor events to build awareness and raise funds for Lurie Children’s. My philanthropic support of the hospital started with lemonade stands and then blossomed into spearheading a school-wide inaugural dance marathon at Carleton Washburne Junior High School, which raised $12,000 the first year and $42,000 the second year. I also participated as the featured student speaker at the event to share our family’s story. Dance marathons are now a crucial way that Lurie Children’s raises money and awareness.

I now serve as the president of the hospital’s student board, co-leading our sponsorship efforts through marketing and direct outreach to the business community. I helped to raise over $100,000 in support of the dance marathon fundraising event.