Beginning May 18th, Zoë Romano will attempt to make history by being the first person to accomplish this daunting feat. It’s a race against time to finish one day ahead of the cyclists in Paris.

Zoë will be running more than a marathon, every day, six days a week for nine weeks. Yet, this is less about a run, and more about living life, conquering fears, pursuing our dreams, and saving the lives of children who need our help. All donations benefit World Pediatric Project patients in need of life-saving care.

Visit www.Zoëgoesrunning.com today to join Team Zoë and be part of history while helping save the lives of critically ill children. As Zoë says, we just have to “begin it” and together we can change the world.

Donations of $25 or more receive an official team t-shirt and updates from Zoë. On Twitter? Use #beginit and join the conversation.

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WPP patient Giovanni and I.

I can think of no better way to reflect on my experience at WPP than through my 140 character snapshots.

After my first few days at WPP, I was left in shock about the reality that WPP families face in their native countries. I learned that 90 percent of the world’s population has access to only 10 percent of the world’s medical resources. At WPP, I have been humbled each and every day as I have been reminded just how fortunate we are.

One of my favorite parts of my time at WPP has been visiting with the families in Richmond. I have had the opportunity to talk to some of them at length about their lives at home and what their difficult experiences have taught them about life. By doing so, I have been able to immerse myself into the life in different cultures such as Belize, St. Vincent, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Antigua and St. Lucia. These families have so little, yet so much love in their hearts. Their stories have provided me to a completely new outlook on life.

Finally, during my internship at WPP, I have had the privilege to meet inspirational leaders such as Zoё Romano. Zoё believes in finding the best in yourself and then sharing that with the community with the hopes of creating a cycle of motivation to do better in the world. She has been a constant reminder to me of the extraordinary things that can happen when you set goals for yourself and refuse to give up. I have seen the same strength and courage in the WPP mothers and fathers who have left their lives behind to offer their child the best possible future.

My experience at WPP has been life-changing and has fueled my passion to continue working in healthcare because it is such meaningful work that offers others hope. By crafting these 140 character tweets, my own character has undoubtedly been shaped as well.

Submitted by: Erin Moyer, Spring 2013 Intern

Two-year-old Kylie from Grenada has been sporting her cape around town as she recovers from nuerosurgery.

Meet our superheroes! Kylie, Kaylee, Conroy and Rosita have been named the next Tiny Superheroes for their bravery and strength while undergoing medical procedures in Richmond.  

Robyn and her family, who run TinySuperHeros.com, identified each of them because they have exemplified strength and determination as they have overcome great adversity. Each child received his or her very own superhero cape, complete with his or her initial. The capes have comforted them as they recover and prepare to return home with hope for their bright futures!

Our tiny superhero Kylie has been so resilient throughout her recovery from neurosurgery and even been cleared to return home to Grenada in the next couple of days! She is an energetic, playful little girl and has enjoyed sporting her beautiful cape around town.

Kaylee’s cape has comforted her throughout her neuro procedures in Richmond.

Kaylee traveled from Belize for neurosurgery several months ago. She continues to improve each day and has been keeping busy with fun outings in Richmond as she recovers. After a long day, Kaylee loves to cuddle with her cape as she enjoys her favorite snack!

Conroy and Rosita are a lively brother and sister duo from St. Vincent who have supported each other during their eye procedures in Richmond. They love to play together and have incorporated the capes into their new favorite game of superheroes!

Conroy and Rosita have incorporated the capes into their new favorite superhero game!

Thank you to the Tiny Super heroes team for putting these bright smiles on our children’s faces and for encouraging them as they complete their medical treatments!

NEWS RELEASE

Date: April 11, 2013                                                                              For Immediate Release

Contacts:

Jennifer Curtis

Office: 804-282-8830

Mobile: 804-484-9325

E-mail: jcurtis@worldpediatricproject.org

Kelly Vance

Mobile: 804-683-0111

E-mail: Kelly@kelly-vance.com

RICHMOND ATHLETE FIRST EVER TO RUN TOUR DE FRANCE “Journey-Run” Raises Money for Children’s Critical Care

Richmond, Va.- Local runner Zoë Romano is training for a journey no one in the world has ever attempted. She will RUN the Tour de France.

On May 18, she will set out on an 8-week trek in Nice and log 30-35 miles a day until she reaches the finish in Paris on July 20 (one day ahead of the peloton). That’s more than a marathon every day.

Romano, 25, is running for children in need of critical care. She aims to raise $100,000 for the World Pediatric Project. The non-profit provides medical care and preventative health services to children in Central America and the Eastern Caribbean.

When asked who in their right mind would take on such an incredible challenge, Romano says it’s just a matter of getting started.

“We are all capable of the extraordinary,” said Romano. “You just have to begin it.” “Whether its running 6 blocks of your neighborhood or completing a marathon, it’s what inspired you to start that  will keep you going.”

In 2011, Romano ran 2,867 miles across the United States, becoming the first female to run unsupported across the US. She averaged about 30 miles a day, pushing her gear in a stroller, and raised over $15,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Inspired by World Pediatric Project’s mission to provide critical care to children in developing countries, Romano began to plan out her Tour de France journey run to raise funds for the organization.

“Running makes me feel like a kid again,” said Romano. “I hope that my running challenge will draw more attention to the mission of WPP and give these kids a chance to enjoy their childhood.”

Alexander Kreher, a VCU student and native German photographer and filmmaker, will join Romano for the duration of her run in France, producing serial footage from the road and a full-length documentary upon completion. Romano and Kreher previously worked together on “Street Dreams” an award-winning short documentary about Romano’s US run.  http://vimeo.com/27590074

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For more information about this project, please visit www.zoegoesrunning.com

About Zoë Romano

 www.zoegoesrunning.wordpress.com

www.facebook.com/zoegoesrunning

Romano is a runner and writer based out of Richmond, VA. In 2011 she ran 2,867 miles across the US, alone, becoming the first female to ever complete such a trek without support vehicle and raising over $15,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She has spoken at various youth-based events, been a guest of sports podcasts and radio shows, and is eager to hit the road again.

Romano first fell in love with running while a student at the University of Richmond, from where she graduated magna cum laude in 2009 with degrees in Spanish and International Studies. She currently writes an outdoor column for Philadelphia-based Ditch Magazine and tutors Spanish in Richmond, VA.

About Alexander Kreher

www.alexanderkreherphotography.com

Alexander Kreher, a native of Germany, is a photographer and filmmaker who currently lives in Richmond, VA. He has won multiple awards for his film and photo projects, including the “Best Student Multimedia” award at the prestigious New York Photo Awards for his film about Zoe Romano’s solo run across the USA in 2011. He works primarily in documentary photography and film, and delves deeply in his subjects’ lives, developing a style which seeks to understand eccentric personalities holistically, rather than just displaying them one-dimensionally. He has worked for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Maine Today, and local production company The Branching. He studied Digital Media and Print Design in Germany, won a scholarship to study at the renowned Salt Institute of Documentary Studies in Portland, ME in 2012, and is now enrolled in the film program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

About World Pediatric Project

www.worldpediatricproject.org

www.facebook.com/worldpediatricproject

World Pediatric Project is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization founded and based in Richmond, Virginia, that provides surgical and diagnostic care to Central American and Caribbean children while creating and implementing programs to heal the children of tomorrow.  This mission is accomplished by mobilizing hospitals and teams of generous pediatric specialists, who volunteer their time and expertise to help thousands of children who need critical care, yet have no access to it in their home countries.  With the volunteer help of these dedicated doctors and nurses, World Pediatric Project brings children to partner hospitals in the U.S. and sends pediatric diagnostic and surgical teams to developing countries. Thousands of children have received direct services since 2001.

In just a matter of days, the lives of Kylie and her mother, Cindy, changed with the support of WPP partners.

Life can change in a matter of days. As Cindy held her two-year-old daughter in her arms in Richmond, she thought back to several months ago when she had little hope that her daughter would live. Through the generosity of World Pediatric Project friends, medical specialists and contributors, Cindy and her daughter Kylie traveled from Grenada to Richmond for life-saving neurosurgery.

Now, Kylie is just one of the eight children in Richmond who are eager to return home to their families as they recover from procedures that have changed their lives in just days.

The circumstances were also grim for two-year-old Kamal, whose family could not find the necessary medical services to treat his heart condition in Antigua. But, once again, thanks to the love and support of WPP partners in Richmond, Kamal will be ready to return home soon with a happy, healthy heart.

Without the necessary medical resources in Antigua, WPP partners helped to save Kamal’s life with treatment for his heart condition in Richmond.

With your help WPP can reach many more children like Kylie and Kamal! Between April 1 and July 9, WPP physicians, nurses and hospital partners are prepared to reach 544 more children. However, in order to support this healing outreach, WPP needs to raise $100,000 during the next three months.

“Your investment will forever change the lives of children and their families,” WPP President Susan Rickman said. “Thank you so much for your support and compassion for the children we will reach in the next 100 days.”

To contribute to 100 Days of Healing visit our new website. Return often to track our progress of each child reached. All gifts of any size can help.

Leah delievered a beautiful speech to the South Richmond Rotary to thank them for sponsoring her life-changing surgery.

Twenty-year-old Leah delivered this speech to the members of the South Richmond Rotary Club to thank them for sponsoring her life-changing heart surgery. The medical care needed to heal her heart was not available in St. Lucia. Thanks to the support of WPP partners and the Rotary Club, Leah has returned home full of hope for her bright future.

“All my life I have been wanting to do the things that other children do such as playing, running and engaging in several other activities at school and at home. I was always a bench warmer; had to keep away because of my condition. I always thought about what would happen to me. My mom was so sensitive towards me especially when I would do anything strenuous. I did appreciate her concern. Sometimes I would pay no mind and think that I am strong. Believing I was strong was self motivating.

Medical care was not available to me. I used to wonder if it would be possible for a miracle to take place or that God would take me. When I heard about World Pediatric Project and the amazing things that they have done to help save lives, I had faith that I would be given a second chance and that the things I have been praying, believing and hoping for would come to reality.

Leah and Otivina went back to St. Lucia full of hope for Leah’s bright future!

Ladies and gentlemen, my time has come and past. It is a great privilege for me to stand here to thank you, the Rotary Club, for making my surgery a possibility. My procedure went excellent and I am indeed grateful for your contribution. It feels so amazing to know that someone out there cares so much. This opportunity means so much to me. Thank you for a future and a hope. Thank you immensely for a healthy heart and a miracle.

May God bless you and may you continue to bless others and bring joy and gladness to their hearts. Thank you.”

Submitted by: Leah and Octivina, St. Lucia

- Picking up/dropping off families at the airport

- Transporting and accompanying families to medical appointments

- Assisting families with surgery check-in

- Visiting families in the hospital or housing facility

- Taking families on outings

- Providing social and emotional support to families

Being part of the World Pediatric Project Volunteer Program means helping a child receive life-changing surgery and being an integral part of that child’s healing journey.

In order to become a volunteer, please complete a volunteer application (including background and MVR checks) and attend a volunteer orientation. During the orientation, you will receive some background information about the organization, including the various ways you can support our families. Once you have submitted a volunteer application and attended an orientation, you’ll be added to the weekly volunteer email list and you’ll start receiving weekly emails outlining/suggesting opportunities to engage. As a volunteer you can decide how and when you want to be involved, as it fits your schedule.

If you’re interested in getting involved with World Pediatric Project as a volunteer in Richmond, VA, please contact the Director of Volunteers, Pilar Waters (pwaters@worldpediatricproject.org) for more information and to receive application materials.

If you’re interested in volunteering in St. Louis, MO, please contact Karina Benabe Packer, U.S. Referral Program Coordinator (kpacker@worldpediatricproject.org) for more information and to receive application materials.

“Kylie absolutely LOVED the Children’s Museum and Cindy really liked it too.  Cindy said Kylie was having a cranky day and this really seemed to change things for the better.” – Volunteer Andrea about WPP patient Kylie who came to Richmond for neurosurgery.

Thank you for making a difference in the life of a World Pediatric Project child!

Thank you for making the difference in the life of a World Pediatric Project child!

 Volunteer with World Pediatric Project

Join the World Pediatric Project Volunteer Program and help us give children from developing countries the chance to receive life-changing surgery!  Our volunteers provide emotional and social support to World Pediatric Project families in town for medical care, while also helping to meet their practical needs. Click here to learn more.

Romano hopes to raise $100,000 for World Pediatric Project by running the Tour de France route this summer. Her efforts will help WPP to heal more children in Central America and the Caribbean.

Zoё Romano believes that everyone can use their passions to change the world. In May, she will put her passion for running to the test as she sets out to run the Tour de France route to raise money for World Pediatric Project.

By becoming the first person to ever conquer all 2,088 miles of the route on foot, Romano will help WPP to heal more children who would otherwise not have access to critical medical care.

“I’m so glad to have found WPP because what I’ve witnessed is that they are also using their passions to discover and identify the challenges of children in their partner countries, and to then engage the Richmond community in helping them deliver the services necessary to enable these kids to overcome the obstacles and go on to do great things,” Romano said.

Romano was also attracted to WPP because it is not a band-aid organization, but rather provides its partner countries with more sustainable health care and medical education.

“By doing something unique, Zoё not only fits with WPP’s brand, but she is also helping us to have an increased impact on the children of the world,” said Jennifer Curtis, communications director for WPP.

Romano will document her journey to raise an expected $100,000 for WPP with the help of her videographer Alex Kreher. They plan to then share it with the community with the hopes of creating a cycle of motivation to do better in the world.

Romano visits with WPP patients Givonni and Destiny in Richmond. Romano plans to share her journey with the community to create a cycle of motivation to do better in the world.

Romano will begin her run on May 18 and plans to finish one day ahead of the cyclists on July 20, at a pace of 30 miles per day. With each mile, Romano will give more and more children a second chance at life.

To learn more and to help Romano to heal a child visit her donate page or http://zoegoesrunning.com.