26
October
2022
|
10:22 AM
America/New_York

Making a difference with meaningful miles

Every October, 18,000 runners, 3,000 volunteers and 100,000 spectators join together to raise funds for life-saving research that can lead to cures for kids. Kids like Nationwider Bill Borchers’ daughter, Evelyn.  Evelyn poses in front of wallscape

Within 24 hours after Evelyn was born, a murmur was detected in her heart. She was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) for open-heart surgery and spent 11 weeks under monitoring by the doctors and nurses. Then at age one, Evelyn was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by excessive physical growth during the first years of life. Bill and his family were worried, but thanks to NCH and the Cardiology and Genetics teams, Evelyn’s future looks bright.

This fall, Evelyn entered the third grade and she was excited to play an important part in the 2022 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon as a Marathon Mile Champion sponsored by Nationwide.

“My time at Nationwide has taught me that the values and culture of my employer impact my overall happiness,” says Bill Borchers, Finance Data Governance Director at Nationwide. “Nationwide’s continued support of NCH, especially with its sponsorship of Evelyn this year, has reinforced that feeling for me. It has given my family a unique way to share my daughter Evelyn’s story while making a difference in our community and we are incredibly thankful for that.”

Since 2012, the Columbus Marathon has helped raise over $11 million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital to support lifesaving research and care for kids like our Patient Champion, Evelyn.

“Nationwide proudly supports several events throughout the year benefitting Nationwide Children’s Hospital, but anytime we get a chance to learn and share stories of patients who are thriving as a result of the hospital’s care, it reaffirms our ‘why’ in a truly special way,” said Ramon Jones, chief marketing officer for Nationwide.

Since 2011, Nationwide has helped raise over $55 million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital through its Sports Sponsorships.

As Evelyn cheered runners on from Mile 12 of the marathon, there’s no doubt participants got a burst of energy when they spotted this little girl with a beautifully big personality.

Scan the QR code below to listen to Evelyn's favorite songs.