Why I’m Running: Darien Grover is running Boston for her hero Sam
"I run to raise funds, I run to raise awareness, and, most of all, I run for my hero Sam!"
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston on April 16, 2018. Are you running Boston? Here’s how to share your story on Boston.com.Name:
Darien Grover
Age: 41
From: Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas
Bib #: 26384
Seven-and-a-half years ago, my son, Sam Grover, was born with a very rare liver disease called biliary atresia, that has no known cause or cure. This disease eventually required Sam to need a life-saving liver transplant when he was 13 months old. Sam’s daddy, Josiah Grover, donated part of his own liver through a living donor transplant, performed at Yale Children’s Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.
Our journey with liver disease, pre and post–transplant, has been quite the adventure. There have been many bumps in the road and detours that have caused us to turn around and find new routes. Although Sam is currently doing very well and living a life as any 7 year old should, we still constantly fear the unknown of his future health. For this reason, I have vowed to make it my personal mission to facilitate, advocate, and promote education, support, and research for the prevention, treatment, and cure of liver disease! It is a great honor for me knowing that I had a small part in helping to raise funds for research so that a cause for biliary atresia can be discovered. With a known cause, prevention may become a reality. It is my hope that another family never has to go through what we have gone through with Sam; that another child never has to suffer as Sam has and still does at times.
As part of my mission, I made The American Liver Foundation, New England Division’s running team, and I will be running in the 2018 Boston Marathon this April. I run to raise funds, I run to raise awareness, and, most of all, I run for my hero Sam!
Check out our entire “Why I’m Running” series.
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Editor’s note: Entries may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
