This July, I will be participating in the Courage Classic Bike Ride for Children's Hospital Colorado as a member of Team Metamorphosis.
The Courage Classic is an annual two-day bicycle event that brings together riders, volunteers, sponsors, friends, and families to support Children's Hospital Colorado and the important work being done across its programs and departments. Team Metamorphosis is riding to raise funds and awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), and specifically to support the EB Center at Children's Hospital Colorado.
For my wife Leslie and me, this cause is deeply personal. In 2004, we lost our daughter, Lauren, to EB. Since then, we have remained committed to supporting the EB community through fundraising, advocacy, and direct support for patients and families navigating this devastating disease.
EB is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by extreme fragility of the skin and mucous membranes. Even minor trauma can lead to painful blisters, wounds, and serious medical complications. Children with EB are often called "Butterfly Children" because their skin is as delicate as a butterfly's wings.
Many of you know Leslie through her years of leadership and service within the EB community, including her work on the Board of Directors of debra of America. This event provides another opportunity for our family to support a cause that has been close to our hearts for more than two decades.
The funds raised by Team Metamorphosis support the EB Center at Children's Hospital Colorado, one of only a few EB Centers of Excellence in the United States. Their team is dedicated to improving the lives of people with EB through exceptional patient care, innovative research, education, and advocacy.
There is real reason for hope. Three treatments for EB have now been approved by the FDA, but significant gaps in care and treatment remain. Donations help elevate the work of the EB Center, promote awareness, improve care, and fund research that can transform lives.
This year, Team Metamorphosis has set a goal of raising at least $50,000 to support the EB Center and the families it serves.
I am asking for your help. Please consider making a donation to Team Metamorphosis in honor of Lauren and the many children, adults, and families affected by EB. Any amount helps, and every gift brings us closer to our goal.
