About 400 of the tiniest, most fragile babies come through the GBMC neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) each year and their special care is costly.
For the past 28 years, the GBMC's Father's Day 5k run has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit the NICU. The support comes from major businesses and sponsors, to the budding entrepreneurial spirit of people like 8-year-olds Cody and Selena Staab.
The Staab twins know their birth story by heart, so much so they feel like they can remember every single detail.
"It was tough," answered Cody when his parents were asked what it was like being in the NICU after they were born. "I mean, I don't remember it, but I imagine it was tough."
And he's not wrong. Tom and Tracey Staab said the twins were born about 8 weeks early and had to spend 33 days in GBMC's NICU.
"When you're going through it, you just go through the motions," said Tracey Staab. "You just do what you have to do and you don't really think about it."
With the help of family and GBMC's medical team, Cody and Selena grew strong enough to leave the NICU and are now happy and healthy kids. And they're giving back to the place where it all started for them by selling handmade bracelets.
"They're so kind and generous, and yes we're bragging we're very proud of them," Tracey said with a laugh and a smile.
The twins will be selling their bracelets at this year's GBMC's Father's Day 5k run and fun walk on Sunday June 19th.
"We want to make sure that these nurses and doctors, who at GBMC are tremendous, have the tools and the technology and the space to take care of these families who are in need of that," said Nick Travelstead, the committee chair of the race.
The race is on the GBMC campus in Towson and includes a Wellness Village with health vendors and activities for kids. You can register to run the morning of the race. For registration information and race details, click here.
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