The one-mile walk and day of family activities directly supports the hospital's mission to provide children in the Hudson Valley and beyond with life-changing and lifesaving care. This year, three former patients have been named as Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital “Ambassadors” for the walk and will lead the crowds on May 7.
Kaylee, 7, of Harriman, was born at Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, in 2009. Although she was born prematurely at 36 weeks, Kaylee initially seemed healthy. However, after being observed in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, she was diagnosed with a rare birth defect in which her stomach and esophagus were not connected. She was quickly transferred to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, where surgery was performed to repair the defect. After less than one month of recovery and a small amount of follow-up care for a few years, Kaylee is now living life to the fullest as a healthy, happy second-grader.
Kaylee’s team, Harper Smiles, will participate in this year’s event in memory of her little sister, Harper, and in honor of the more than 20,000 children cared for by the hospital each year.
To support Harper Smiles, additional walk teams, or to start a new team, click here. Participants can stay up-to-date on event news and share their event-day experiences via social media by using the hashtag #GoTheDistance.
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is located on WMC's campus at 100 Woods Road in Valhalla. The walk will be held rain or shine. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. An array of family fun activities and carnival games will continue until noon.