Four years ago, after almost a year of struggling with what the doctors thought were sports injuries, I was sent to Children’s Hospital Colorado, which ultimately led me to a surprising diagnosis of a very rare type of Leukemia. Although I had a lot of difficulty with an associated and unrelated infection that created unbelievable pain, more doctors and therapists than I could even count eventually got me out of bed and moving again and back to the point where I could see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Doctors determined my best chance for survival and a cure was a bone marrow transplant. Thanks to an anonymous donor, I received a transplant on November 12th, 2014. While receiving treatment, I spent over 9 months inpatient at Children’s Colorado. Though I don’t remember much of the first few weeks that I was in the hospital, I was in very bad shape and unable to even get out of bed. By my last day in the hospital, I was the first patient to actually complete a walking marathon through the halls of 7 East. If it wasn’t for the staff at Children’s Hospital Colorado I wouldn’t be alive today. From the doctors and P.A.s, to the nurses and therapists, the hospital is the unifying factor of why everyone does this ride. Wheels of Justice specifically raises money to go directly to funding research, which helps my smaller world of the 7th floor where everything took place for me. One of the programs that affected me directly was completely funded by the money raised from the Courage Classic. My psychologist that helped me throughout my time in the hospital is funded exclusively through the Wheels of Justice team. If I think about where I would have been without him and that program, I don’t know if I would be here today and being able to ride. I am thankful to be riding again for the third year in a row with the support of my closest friends. I am grateful for everything Children’s Hospital Colorado has done for me. This ride and raising money is a way I can try and help to give back. Please help me support the hospital that helped save my life.
-Daniel Hailpern
Leave a Reply