I work with Together For Kids, an organization of nearly 50 hospitals dedicated to the care of children; it's an amazing group of doctors, nurses and caregivers.  There's no shortage of amazing stories of bravery in the children they care for, including this one:

When Christian was about 9 months old, his mom just happened to run her finger down his spine. She noticed it curved to the left so she took him to his pediatrician. After several tests and x-rays, doctors confirmed the precious little infant had scoliosis, which can lead to breathing problems, excruciating low back pain and arthritis if not treated. When he was 2, the problem was exacerbated when a rounding of the back known as kyphosis set in.

Christian is now 7. His first surgery was at the age of 2. He's had more surgeries — 17 in five years — than most people have in a lifetime. Yet with everything he's been through, including a five-month stay at North Carolina Children's Hospital, he smiles every day. He makes everyone else around him appreciate what they have.

Christian's family has endured long separations during his inpatient care. His dad was deployed to Afghanistan and his mom can't be with him during lengthy hospital stays due to work. So Grandma saves the day and travels to be with Christian in the hospital. The nurses combined their own money to buy her an air mattress and pillow so she would be more comfortable.

Christian is a superstar when he enters North Carolina Children's Hospital. Everyone knows him by name and he is treated like a member of their own family. The staff at Together For Kids hospitals understands that it's not simply about treating the illness; it's treating the child and their family.

Please join me in giving children like Christian a chance to live a healthy life. Call 1-855-UR4-KIDS and support Together For Kids hospitals all across the nation.