Welcome to my fundraising page. Thank you for being here.
In honor of Chloe Rae Comeau, my beloved and dearly missed niece, I have signed up to run 26.2 miles through the boroughs of New York City. I’m running not only to remember Chloe, but to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research and family support through the Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors.
As some of you already know, just a year ago, at 13 years old, Chloe was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma - a brain tumor. Chloe has brightened my family's lives since the day she was born. It is hard to remember a time without her brilliant mind, kind heart, and overwhelming joy. Chloe was compassionate, funny, and a creative soul - she loved art and music.
Chloe's tumor was benign but growing and putting pressure on her brain. While the surgery was successful and the tumor was removed, they also had to remove her pituitary gland and other parts of her brain were damaged. This caused many health issues and medications to manage them. I can’t stress enough how strong Chloe was through the constant struggle and pain—the definition of bravery. Despite the struggles, Chloe was stable and expected to keep improving in the months to follow.
Nothing prepared us for her death on the morning of November 21, 2023. Chloe’s post-tumor body was unable to recognize and fight a severe infection until it was too late.
To be honest, I’d rather not have this reason to run this race. I’d rather Chloe be here with me, laughing together at all the crazy people who decide to run marathons. But I am hoping to raise money for research so that kids and their families can have better outcomes than Chloe and us had. I hope for a time when craniopharyngiomas don’t have as devastating of consequences. I also hope to share Chloe’s story, to share her light, to keep her memory alive.
I also run in honor and memory of Avery Huffman, a spunky 7-year-old girl who passed away after a brave yet quick battle with a cancerous pediatric brain tumor - Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). I had the honor of babysitting Avery pre-diagnosis. Avery was feisty and full of joy and light. A diagnosis of DIPG is almost always a death sentence, and I hope for a time when it doesn't have to be. Avery courageously fought and has inspired me to this day. She is dearly and desperately missed.
To say I am nervous and intimidated to run 26.2 miles is an understatement, but Chloe and Avery taught me that I can do hard things. I hope you will consider donating to this charity as I spend the next several months training for the marathon.
