Boston Marathon Features On wbztv.com
Apr 18, 2009 12:13 pm US/Eastern
Nurse Runs Boston For Hospital That Saved Her Kids
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Noel Dwyer is running the Boston Marathon for Children's Hospital, which saved the lives of her premature twin daughters, Grace and Sara.
WBZ
Everyone has their own reason for running a marathon, but for one Natick mother it's to help a place that saved her babies.
Grace and Sara Dwyer love to play, swing and chase her each other in their back yard.
But you'd never know these twins were born nine weeks prematurely. And Grace has already undergone three major heart surgeries. The first took place the day after she was born.
"My husband and I said goodbye. We didn't think she was going to make it, and her surgeons and cardiologist are saints," said Children's Hospital staff nurse Noel Dwyer.
Today Grace is doing exceptionally well. Her mother was so impressed by the care her daughter received that she changed her career and became a staff nurse at Children's Hospital.
She now plans to run the
Boston Marathon.
"After watching people take such good care of my kids I just felt it's what I had to do, what I was called to do," she said.
Noel ran the Marathon in 2005, but now that Gracie's 10 years old and doing so well she decided to run again for Children's Hospital -- the place she said changed her daughter's life.
"Grace turned 10 this year, and we didn't know we would see that day, so it just seemed like a good time to do one more," Noel said.
Like the Boston Marathon, Grace still has a long road ahead of her. But she's grateful for the life she has.
"I would not be as happy if I did not have a great family and the great nurses and doctors at Children's Hospital," Grace said.
"I hope you all will run with me for a few minutes anyway," Noel told her kids.
On Monday, the whole family will be together cheering mom on in Natick.
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