I've been a volunteer at Children's Wisconsin for 20 years and most of my time has been spent visiting with, playing with and taking care of kids.  It's been great being a small part of their care and seeing kids achieve the normal milestones of their development despite their medical challenges.  This past year has been extra special as I've spent more time with a couple of toddlers than ever before.  Taking them for walks and being part of the transition from riding in a stroller to walking with me as I hold their hand.  Or the transition from an infant stroller where they are laying back facing me to a toddler stroller where they are sitting up on their own facing ahead looking at everything coming our way is special. 

Add to that visiting with a teenager that I've been seeing since he was around 10 years old.  Just being able to spend time talking about what he wants to do in life, he wants to be a police officer, and what kind of car he wants to drive is a big contrast to when we'd play Trouble and try to send each other's pieces back to the start position.  Even though I hope his clinical care keeps him out of the hospital It's great to see him when he has to come back as I get to see how he's becoming a young man. 

Children's Wisconsin is special to me and to the parents who bring their kids there for their care.  And raising funds to continue research and care activities that children need is something I believe in.  So I've signed up to do my part by running in this event and I hope that you can find it in your heart to make a donation to show your support.

Thank you,

Stan "Stas" Garbasz