Gabriel has had 52 hospital admissions since he was born.  He is only 6 years old!! Let that set in for a minute. Many people go their whole lives never being admitted to a hospital. He has had 11 surgeries. If Helen Devos Childrens Hospital was not here in Grand Rapids my husband and I would have had to move several hours away from our family in order to be close to a children's hospital due to all of the specialists Gabe has to see.  We are so excited every year for the radiothon!! Our goal is to raise $1,500 this year. If we meet the $1,500 goal then each person that has donated on Gabe's fundraising page will be entered in to win a YETI cooler!! We won one last year so this year we are passing our winning cooler onto someone else. The funds raised help support many programs that Helen Devos has that insurance will never cover.  I pray you never have to take your child to the hospital but if you do they will help make your visit a little more fun. Child Life brings games, toys, books, and game consoles to your room. If your hospital stay will be extensive then they take the time to make your room even more inviting by decorating it with your child's favorite characters. Child Life will also take the time to play with your child and most importantly make those uncomfortable situations like needle pokes a little less scary. The hospital has teachers to help your child keep up on school work so they don't get too far behind in school during an admission. There are music therapists that come play music and bring instruments so the child can play along. Many of you that have supported Gabe's fundraising have seen his stories, but those that may not have seen them all please take a look at them to learn more. I know right now is hard with all that has happened in 2020, but I ask that we all think outside ourselves during this time and think of those children that will be isolated from their families for the holidays. We are so thankful for your generous giving to the hospital. God's Blessings on you all, David, Christina, and Gabriel Dehen 
Wood TV 8 search "Gabe's Story"; YouTube search "Gabe's Story Palliative Care"; healthbeat.spectrumhealth.org search "Gabe's Story";
Mlive.com search "Gabriel Dehen"