Laps 4 Backs - Smiles to Sick Kids

Danielle S.G. is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

This will be Noelle's fouth year, raising money to bring fun items to the children at new England Hospitals and medical facilities. She went through spinal surgery the end of November 2015 and is doing remarkably well so far. Here is a video of her first time walking after surgery.
http://youtu.be/CMYm3oA8dm0

July 2017, Noelle made her 4th annual 1.5 mile swim across Province Lake in East Wakefield, NH. She has been an outpatient since the age of 5 when she was diagnosed with a rare spinal condition which causes constant pain and numbness in her legs along in addition to other problems. She spent 3 years with restricted mobility in a rigid back brace. Each time she went through a procedure or difficult situation, the hospital would provide a prize or reward which kept her spirits up. When she endured a 1:30 minute MRI in Feb of 2014, she noticed that the reward closet was quite empty. She asked what would happen to the child after her and they said there would be nothing for them. The prizes were all donations, mostly from the staff. Seeing as though the small reward was so important to her throughout her time at Tufts, she has decided to raise money to fill their closets and bring smiles to inpatients and outpatients at the hospital.
http://m.wcvb.com/news/11yearold-haverhill-girl-on-mission-to-make-kids-smile/41335036

NOELLE'S STORY
Noelle was diagnosed with Dysplastic spondylolisthesis at the age of 5. (Dysplastic spondylolisthesis is a rare congenital spondylolisthesis occurring because of a malformation of the lumbosacral junction resulting in small, incompetent facet joints.) I know that's a lot of medical lingo. Basically, Noelle 4th Lumbar is slipped and twisted over the 5th squeezing the spinal cord. Certain movements or falls could cause paralysis. Noelle was placed in a rigid back brace for 3 years. During those 3 years, she couldn't play outside, participate in physical education, recess or even ride a bike. It was a very difficult time but she remained consistently positive. She found ways to keep herself busy with sewing, piano and reading. Last summer her doctor said that although her condition remained, it had stabilized to a degree where she would be able to do some physical activity and slowly wean from the brace. In October, Noelle began swimming and loved every moment of it. In January, she joined a swim team and recently had her first swim meet! She is slowly regaining strength and muscle and thriving in the pool.

Oct 2014: Spreading Smiles award from The Mary Jo Brown Foundation. They are an amazing organization and surely life up to their mission of spreading smiles!