Maria Fareri Welcomes Tyrus As 'Ambassador' At Annual Awareness Walk

Each year, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Westchester Medical Center Health Network invite the community to take steps for a cause at the annual Go the Distance Walk and Family Fun Day. The charity event draws thousands of supporters and is the largest annual fundraiser for the hospital.

Tyrus, 6, of the Bronx, is one of the "ambassadors" at this year's Go the Distance Walk and Family Fun Day benefiting Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

John Haffey

Content Partner: Westchester Medical Center

The one-mile walk and day of family activities directly supports the hospital's mission to provide children in the Hudson Valley and beyond with life-changing and lifesaving care. This year, three former patients have been named as Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital “Ambassadors” for the walk and will lead the crowds on May 7.

While still pregnant, Tyrus’ mother Dianna discovered her baby had developed multiple congenital heart defects, including a hole between the right and left ventricle and a narrowing of the pulmonary valve. Three months after he was born, Tyrus had an angiogram and at just six months, underwent life saving open-heart surgery at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Today, Tyrus is a happy, healthy six year old. A kindergartener in the Bronx, Tyrus loves baseball, karate and soccer, and recently started his own YouTube channel. Tyrus is also a star at the Dance Marathons which support Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

To support one of the many teams at the Go the Distance Walk and Family Fun Day, or to start a team of your own, click here. Participants can stay up-to-date on event news and share their event-day experiences via social media by using the hashtag #GoTheDistance.

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is located on the Valhalla campus of WMCHealth at 100 Woods Road in Valhalla. The walk will be held rain or shine. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. An array of family fun activities and carnival games will continue until noon.