By Michael Balderston
The last place Matt and Karen Smith wanted to be shortly after their son Noah was born was outside an operating room. When doctors revealed to them that Noah suffered from Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare heart condition, unfortunately that was where they were.
Thankfully, with the help of Children’s National Health System and their doctors, the Smiths greatest fears were averted and they and Noah plan to support Children’s National with their second annual Race for Every Child.
Children’s National Health System provides pediatric care to more than 300,000 patients a year from around the world by serving as a network of specialized, not-for-profit children’s hospitals in the Washington D.C.-metro area.
Due to Noah’s condition, he was required to go through two open-heart surgeries in his first 18 months. Knowing that there was only a 10 percent chance of Noah avoiding future surgeries every couple of years, the hours ticked by slowly outside the waiting room for the Smiths. At the end of his second surgery, Matt and Karen were elated to hear that Noah’s surgery was a complete success; Noah would not need surgery again until he is in college to replace a heart valve.
Since Noah’s surgery, the Smiths have been supporters of Children’s National Health System, including their annual Race for Every Child. The Race for Every Child began in 2013 as a way to raise funds for the treatments and health care of the hospital’s patients.
The race, a 5K run/walk with other activities including a Kids Dash, helps to raise funds for special medical care, research into childhood diseases and important wellness and preventive services for Children’s National Health System locations, including five in NoVA.
“[The race] serves a couple of different purposes,” says Karen. “It raises money for the hospital, but it’s also a great way to do something with your family, to see teams that are formed for kids at the hospital and by who have left… getting to meet people and other families who have had similar experiences.”
The Smiths were one of the first families to form a team for last year’s inaugural race, Noah’s Heart Heroes. They donned shirts that featured the logo of Noah’s favorite superhero, Iron Man, who famously overcame some heart issues of his own.
Noah is 4 years old, and is excited for this year’s race so he can receive a medal. The Smiths are just happy that Noah gets to have a more normal life thanks to Children’s National Health System.
“Instead of thinking of when his next surgery is,” says Matt, “I’m thinking about his next soccer practice.”
Sign-up or donate by visiting the Race for Every Child website here.
Race for Every Child 5K
Saturday, Sept. 13
Freedom Plaza, Washington D.C.
$45 Registration Fee
$10 Registration Fee for Kids Dash
