Brady Bobrowich, 2020 Champion Child for Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, is welcomed by past champion children (left to right) Gianna Eusebio, Aidan Anderson, Ethan Burnell, and Logan Quatember at Walmart Grant Park on Thursday, January 16, 2020. (CHFM / HANDOUT)
WINNIPEG — Brady Bobrowich was only five-months-old when he was first diagnosed with Type 1 Neurofibromatosis.
The genetic disorder causes tumors to form on nerve tissue, which can develop anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
“My spine bends like a tree with branches too heavy on one side,” the 12-year-old says.
Brady is now living with more than 100 tumors in his body, including a plexiform neurofibroma that cannot be removed from his spine and is so large it has caused his spine to drastically bend.
Brady will continue to visit the Children’s Hospital as he grows to have implants and rods lengthened in his back to keep his spine straighter. He has already had three spinal surgeries.
Despite his setbacks, Brady continues to enjoy being a kid and plays hockey, baseball, and participates in an annual neurofibromatosis run.
His perseverance in the face of adversity has earned him the title of the 2020 Champion Child for Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. He was celebrated with the honour earlier this week at the Walmart in Grant Park.
For the next year, Brady will represent Manitoba as an ambassador for the 130,000 children who need the Children’s Hospital each year. In April, Brady will travel to Orlando for #ChildrensHospitalsWeek to meet other champions from across North America.
Brady has set a goal to raise funds for the specialized surgical tools that helped straighten his spine. To read more of his story and to donate, visit GoodBear.ca/Brady.
