Elliott Muhs (2013 Recipient)

Kidz on the Run is honored and privileged to announce our 2nd Annual Fun Run to benefit Elliot Muhs and her family. Elliot is 4 years old and a member of our local community. Please read her touching story below:

In the middle of a family trip to Hawaii in early May, Elliott got sick with a mild flu. Her parents took her to urgent care in Hawaii to have her checked out before they flew home the next day. During the flight home, it became apparent that she was in need of medical attention and so an ambulance met the family on the air strip and she was transported to the emergency room. In the ER she did not perk up as anticipated after receiving IV hydration and so she was admitted over night for observation and to receive fluid. Throughout the night, she continued to become increasingly sick and was transferred to the PICU after several tests they diagnosed her with Myocarditis. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart wall and is usually caused by a virus. On the evening of May 12 while in the PICU, Elliott suffered a prolonged cardiac arrest. After four hours of intensive resuscitation efforts, they were able to place her on a ECMO machine. An ECMO machine is a medical device that works in place of the heart and lungs. The physicians gave little hope that she would make it thru the night. Elliott, however, proved to be a fighter. She was able to come off ECMO after two weeks, with no apparent long term effects to her heart. After spending four months in the hospital, Elliott was able to come home on September 4th. Elliott still has a long road ahead of her to fully recover. She is need of continued intensive physical, occupation and speech therapy. The effects of her prolonged cardiac arrest deprived her brain of oxygen and the result if similar to having a major stroke.  To learn more about Elliott's story please visit her face book page "Pray for Elliot".

Many family, friends and strangers have been following Elliott's journey on Facebook and have been asking the question, "How can we help?". The greatest gift you can give the Muhs family at this time is a donation in honor of Elliott. Because of her lengthy stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, as well as her long road to recovery in the Rehabilitation Unit, the medical bills that they are faced with are astronomical and continuing to rise. By making a donation to Elliott, you will be helping to ease the burden of medical expenses that have overwhelmed this family. Let's come together as a community to show our love and support and RUN FOR A PURPOSE: this incredible four year old, Little Miss Elliott Muhs! - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/helping-elliott-heal/70231#sthash.YbScHlka.dpuf