Moms on a Mission: April Christian, Champion
HA would like to extend its deepest gratitude to all of the mothers making a difference each and every day to move the Hydrocephalus Association one step closer to a cure. For the seven days around Mother’s Day, we are profiling a few members that have gone above and far beyond to further our reach. Please join us in thanking these amazing (S)HEroes in our community!
April Christian – The Champion
Moms on a mission are never ashamed to show their “blue” colors, and if you have ever attended the National Capital Hydrocephalus Association WALK, you will immediately notice our next mom, April Christian. April is the proud mother of Tanzanea, who was diagnosed with a congenital form of hydrocephalus. Tanzanea has had 7 shunt surgeries to date, but this has not stopped her and her family from lending their voice to the cause and their personal attention to parents of newly diagnosed families looking for answers and support. Serving as the Logistics Chair for the last 3 D.C. WALKS, April’s family, church and entire community galvanizes around her as WALK volunteers to assure a smooth event. They also bring an element of fun in their awareness raising, donning blue ribbons, festive wigs and a lot of spirit! She has consistently had the biggest team at each WALK.
In addition, April serves as an educator and supporter to local families. Each year Dr. Edward Ahn, Johns Hopkins Hospital, hosts an education day for his patients in Baltimore. In the center of a crowd of moms with questions and concerns is April, helping ease them through the worries we all experience in those first few years. (Just to note, her husband, David, is also there providing support to fathers.) This year, April, David, and Tanzanea also led support circles and participated in a patient panel at an education day at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. April, David and Tanzanea lent their voice on a national level when their family was featured in our 2013 Reason for Hope video that profiles three individuals living with the condition and their desire to help find a cure. While her daughter fights daily through migraines, pelvic pain, and the challenges of long term memory retention, April remains one of our biggest champions, bringing cheer to many families facing similar issues.