In 2002, Tom and Christine rushed their 11-year-old son Paul to Boulder Community Hospital (BCH) because they were unable to control his persistent headaches and vomiting. What unfolded next would reshape their lives and create a legacy connection to Children’s Hospital Colorado.

After a CT scan at BCH, technicians told Paul’s parents to go directly to Children’s Colorado, bypassing even a quick stop at their home. At Children’s Colorado, they were met by Ken Winston, MD, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the time.

Dr. Winston discovered a malignant brain tumor, and that night, Paul underwent urgent surgery performed by Dr. Winston and neurosurgeon Lori McBride, MD. During surgery, the doctors discovered the tumor was inoperable due to its proximity to critical brain structures, but their intervention alleviated Paul’s symptoms, setting the stage for a lifesaving journey through chemotherapy and radiation.

“It was a lot of territory to traverse in one day,” recalls Tom. “While it seemed like a long wait in the emergency room at Children’s Colorado, everything that happened after that was precise. Everyone was there. Everyone was ready to give Paul the kind of treatment needed to address his tumor.”

Rides of Courage

Within six weeks of finishing chemotherapy and five weeks of his last radiation treatment, Paul emerged hopeful yet reluctant to return to a hospital – at least for the time being. Despite his exhaustion from radiation somnolence syndrome – a rare side effect from cranial radiation, Paul chose to participate in Courage Classic, a multi-day bicycle event to support Children’s Hospital Colorado, just a couple of months after his treatment ended.

This marked the beginning of a 20-year tradition. Paul and his family would continue to ride and fundraise for the hospital, embodying the resilience and camaraderie that the event celebrates.

“There are so many stories like Paul’s,” said Tom. “It’s one of the reasons we participated in Courage Classic for so many years. You get to meet the families and learn about their stories all while giving back to Children’s Colorado.”

A Future of Caring for Kids

Following his experience, Paul went on to finish middle school, graduate from high school, and eventually dedicate himself to a career in health care. He trained as an emergency medical technician then worked in the emergency room as a certified medical technician at Children’s Colorado.

Later, Paul surprised his parents by announcing that he had passed a medical school exam and would be attending the University of Milan Statale in Italy. Today, he is in the second year of his five-year pediatrics residency.