Every year, we invite our community and supporters to walk with us, in memory of Dylan’s heroic fight. He and his family stayed at our House and have since dedicated great effort to giving back to our organization. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit The Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley and families just like the Hoffmans.
Dylan’s parents share their story …
Dylan Joseph Hoffman was born on July 7, 2011. At 4 weeks old we discovered that he had a coarctation of the aorta which lead to a massive stroke. The stroke was caught early enough to have drains put in to relieve the pressure on his brain.
At 6 weeks old he had been through more than most people will have been in a lifetime, having successful heart surgery and brain surgery within days of each other. A coarctation of the aorta means there is a narrowing of the aorta, so more blood was going to the top of his body than the lower part due to where it was.
The stroke has caused quite a bit of damage leading to a very long and hard road for Dylan and our family. He had endocrine issues, low tone, cortical visual impairment, and seizures. He amazed us everyday with things we were not quite sure he’d be able to do and how hard he worked to do them.
Unfortunately, on September 12, 2014 Dylan got too tired to work anymore and left us peacefully. During Dylan’s initial hospital stay we were so lucky to have gotten a room at the Ronald McDonald House so that we were close by and Kevin’s parents were able to stay there too. Having a comfortable bed, place to cook, and take a hot shower was such a relief. The best part was we were just across the parking lot from Dylan if we needed a break.
The house is invaluable to families going through health issues with their children. The house runs on donations as McDonald’s does not fund it. Please help us raise money so that the house can operate and help other families in need of it. We’d love for you to come walk with us for the 5th Annual Dylan J. Hoffman Memorial Walk & Family Fun Day to Benefit the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley in Rye Brook, NY on Sunday September 29th.
