Eli, a 5-year-old kindergarten student at Summit Park Elementary School in New City, was born at just 24 weeks and weighed a little more than a pound. Eli overcame many life-threatening medical issues and is now healthy and happy. As the Grand Marshal, he represented the more than 20,000 area children who receive care each year at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.
Despite the rain, the event drew a crowd of about 1,000, comprising former patients, their families, hospital staff and supportive community members from around the region.
Maria Fareri is a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network and the children’s hospital for the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County.