My name is Tyson and I am 17 years old. In March 2024, when I was 16, I was hospitalized for over two weeks with a rare condition called RIME, where the body’s immune system attacks your healthy tissues when it becomes overactive, usually after a bacterial or viral infection. I experienced many painful symptoms, some of which have left physical scars, and I even had to have a membrane transplant surgery on both of my eyes. That was scary. RIME is extremely painful and took a negative toll on me, especially because I have been blessed to be pretty healthy before this happened.

While I was hospitalized at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, I really missed my family, my friends, and my teammates. I missed out on my junior year spring break, college tours, band practices, lacrosse games, and college prep meetings at school. Something that really helped me get through this time in my life and lift my spirits was the child life department at the hospital bringing me things to entertain me and help pass the time.

This holiday season, I would like to give back to the department that helped me, and also help other kids who are in the hospital by raising funds to donate toys and other needed items that will bring young patients a little bit of happiness during a difficult time in their lives. My mom and I are working together on this special project. 100% of the money raised will be used to purchase items directly off of the hospital’s child life department’s needs list.

Please consider helping me with this really important cause this holiday season. Thank you.