Brandon's Run 

OUR GOAL 

We have all ready received the greatest gift that anyone could ask for and that is our son.  If our son’s story can educate one person or aid in the research of just one child that alone is reward enough for us. 

BRANDON'S STORY

Brandon Edward McGahan was born two months early on 4/9/07 (Born on opening day!  Go Sox!).  Unfortunately, during my pregnancy, we were not aware of any complications/birth defects or that after birth our child was having complications until the second day of his life.  On 4/10/07, Brandon was seen by Dr. Russell Jenning's of Children's Hospital Boston and diagnosed with Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Artesia, Type C w/distal fistula, as well as severe Tracheomalacia. TEF/EA is a rare birth defect that effects 1 in 3,000-5,000 infants born in the US and could cause other birth defects to form in that infant that effect his/her very life.  On 4/10/07, Brandon was transported from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Boston to Children's Hospital Boston and had surgery the second day of his life to try to correct this birth defect.  TEF/EA also causes severe reflux in infants and can cause stricture within the esophagus.  Once these strictures form, they can cause choking spells. 

EA/TEF can at times be associated with the VACTERL Syndrome, which is essentially other birth defects occuring during gestation.  In Brandon's case he was also diagnosed severe tracheomalcia requiring surgical intervention, a heart defect, kidney reflux, a muscle missing from his left cheek, subglotic stenosis, development of suglotic cyst in his airway, adnoids removed and tubes placed in ears.

Brandon spent the first four months of his life at Children's Hospital Boston and the next two years of his life in and out. 

Did you know that January is "Birth Defects Awareness" month?