Cheering Team 50 supporting Liver transplant children

Cheering for Team 50

Kathleen Phillips turns 50 this year and plans to celebrate the day in a most unorthodox way.

Not accepting the opportunity to relax and take things easy – this amazing lady has decided to take up a new challenge of running for the first time in her life . Her dream is to run 50 kilometers distance, 2 laps of the Marine Parade in Napier from Perfume Point to Awatoto and back ,twice.

Team 50 is running to raise awareness of children affected by Liver disease and to support and raise funds for KIDS Foundation – the charity which assists these children and their families facing liver transplant.

Kathleen is a very special person – she learnt about liver disease when she became foster parent to Baby Grant who was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia soon after birth. Kathleen willingly stepped up to help Grant , offering him a much needed home and the support he needed as he commenced his journey through liver transplant. This is a mammoth undertaking for any parent, but for Kathleen it was especially challenging as she was suddenly faced with a long stay admission at Starship caring for baby Grant away from her own network of friends and family. Kathleen and Grant bonded tightly as they battled together through very tough times , the end result was a successful transplant and a fresh start for Baby Grant. Looking back on this journey now that Grant has turned 5 and started school, and Kathleen herself faces the milestone of turning 50 – It is characteristic of her to set another challenge to mark this milestone year.

“Giving back to KIDS Foundation to assist other children and families facing liver transplant is something I want to do to help others facing the same medical challenges”.

Kathleen is challenging others to join her in this quest – make a donation on Give a Little to pledge your support of her run. If you live locally – she would really appreciate you coming along on Saturday August 6th to join her in the run or to cheer her on and give her encouragement.

Kathleen had never done any running previously; she is now training hard for this event as she believes in doing things well. Having set this goal, there is no doubt in the minds of those who know Kathleen that she will indeed complete the 50km !

Join Team 50 now and be part of this amazing celebration run.