On August 31st, 2007 my daughter, Emma Moss Diamondstein, died of Necrotizing Enterocolitis at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. On September 9th, 2012 I am racing in Ironman Wisconsin and I am asking that you consider helping me raise money in Emma's memory to help find a cure for the disease that took her life.
I cannot detail here the depths of despair and darkness that my wife and I endured. No parent should have to watch their child draw her last breath; it is a vision that will stay with me until I draw mine. After Emma's passing, I found that swimming, biking and running made me feel better. The physical exertion of the training helps clear my mind and offers me moments of peace.
But even now, while time has helped heal the wound, there are moments when I can't shake the sting of the loss. When the pain cuts sharply and I feel like I can't take one more step, I think about that poor, sweet little girl that never had a chance to swim with her mom and dad, bike with her brother or run with her sister, and I push forward. I believe that if my enduring a little bit of pain can help a parent somewhere get one more day with their child, then no matter where I finish this Ironman, I've won.
I know times are tough but if you can, please donate to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. It is one of the best children's hospitals in the world; the doctors, nurses and support staff did everything they could for my little girl. When you donate, there is a box on the webpage for you to send me a message. If there is someone in your life that gives you inspiration, someone whose memory helps you to take another step when you feel that all hope is lost and ache to quit, please send me their name. It would be my honor to carry the name with me during the race. And maybe if I falter, if I start to fail, then the spirit of those people that steady you can help me reach my goal.
If you believe this to be a worthy cause, please forward the link to anyone that you believe will finding meaning in my endeavor and help Children's Hospital.
Thank you.
