I would like to share my personal story about The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. But first a picture to start on the positive side. August 2020 Bailey asked if I could replace her high school graduation photo with a new one. This is the positive picture she requested.

Bailey Graduating Cabrini University in 2020.

After 5 years of hard work Bailey now has achieved a BS in Education. She intends to focus on Special Needs and Accessibility.

Before I tell our story to anyone I always started with mentioning my daughter graduating high school and now being in college. But now that she has graduated I will start the story there. That is now. But this was then. May 20 2009.

In 2009 our daughter Bailey was hit by a truck while crossing the street. At the time I was out of work on a medical leave and my wife also had to take a leave to be with our daughter. Bailey suffered broken bones but the worst was a traumatic brain injury. After several operations she spent 11 days in CHOP’s Intensive Care before being released to Rehabilitation at The Seashore House.

Her future was uncertain and the doctors told us to expect our daughter would never communicate with us or be the same again. My wife and I were living at the hospital for over a month. Even with the support of our family and friends and the whole Conshohocken community our financial future was uncertain. We had always been pretty stable but for the first time I found myself needing the help of others. That was something I was totally unprepared for.

Hundreds of small donations were coming in from from everywhere in all forms. Like meals from the church and before and after school care for our boys from the community center and money into a fund setup at the bank.
Our amazing little girl was a fighter and determined and was discharged later that year after spending six months at CHOP.

Looking back, when the doctors said she will never be the same again, that is expected with a life altering event. But through the grace of God, family, friends, community and organizations like The Children's Miracle Network, you can survive a crisis. And emerge with a greater sense of gratitude and desire to share what is within your heart.

Another Gameday coming in November. That is a focal point for Extra Life but I have been working at this all for four years now.
 

Here's how most of Extra Life works

• Extra Life is a 24-hour fundraising and gaming marathon to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
• On Game Day you will join the thousands of gamers and dedicate an entire day to play games and get donations from friends and family.
• I will stream on TWITCH, the link is vulcanjedi's twitch channel.
• 100% of the donations you make here go to my choice from the Children's Miracle Network which is CHOP! We will make a difference for sick kids!

Your donation is tax-deductible and will make miracles happen for families who desperately need them. Please click the "Donate" button at the top of this page to make a safe and easy online donation. This goes directly to the organization. You don't have to wait until game day, donate at any time.

Come and see if I am live on my Twitch Channel