Brookline Family Supports Boston Children's Hospital at Sunday's Walk

There is no greater anticipation for parents of a newborn child than to hear the doctor say that they have a healthy baby. For Brookline's Susie and Andrew Tapley, whose daughter Mae was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome shortly after birth, this was not the case. Little did they know, they would be in and out of Boston Children’s Hospital for the months to follow, commuting from the D.C. area to get the best care possible for their young daughter. Shortly After Mae was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome, the doctors discovered that this brave little girl had a hole in her heart and pulmonary hypertension that needed to be addressed immediately with open heart surgery. This began her journey down the road to recovery, as well as the family’s move to Brookline to be near Boston Children’s and close to family.

The Tapley family, including a now healthy and happy two-year-old Mae, has been a passionate advocate of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Downs Syndrome Clinic and Heart Center ever since. Next Sunday, supporters of Mae will join together to walk 6 miles in support of the hospital where she continues to receive extraordinary care and compassion. Two years ago, the family was able to raise an impressive $23,000 just a week before the event. Support for Mae kept growing, and last year they raised $80,000 for Boston Children’s.

Mae’s mother Susie proudly explains, “Boston Children’s Hospital literally saved [Mae’s] life.” She describes her experience at Boston Children’s Hospital as “such a welcoming, lovely place,” that gave her endless support and resources during an otherwise daunting and overwhelming time. The Tapleys now dedicate their efforts to raising not only funds for the hospital, but also awareness of Downs Syndrome and the incredible potential for children with its diagnosis. It is with this dedication and the drive to help kids like Mae that the Tapley family and friends walk year after year.

On June 11th, the Tapleys will be joined at the 15th annual Eversource Walk by over 5,000 walkers all with the same goal: to do their part in helping to fund the exceptional care and groundbreaking research that are synonymous with Boston Children’s. Since its inception, the Eversource Walk, Boston Children’s Hospital’s largest annual fundraiser, has raised over $17.5 million to provide care for children and their families. With just two days to go, this year’s participants have almost reached their goal of $1.8 million.

If you are interested in participating in the walk for Boston Children's, you can click here to register. To support Mae and her team Miles for Mae, you can do so by clicking here. Community involvement is such an important part of this event and your participation would be greatly appreciated! Come support kids like Mae and share your generosity with #WalkforBCH!