Register for Extra Life and Join Hudson’s “Zero to Hero” Club
Meet Hudson, Seattle Extra Life Champion
When Hudson was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy that weakens the skeletal muscles and the heart. This degenerative disease eventually caused his heart to fail in November 2021. Because of his muscular dystrophy, his body was not strong enough to be put on the donor heart list so Hudson’s doctors recommended a ventricular assist device (VAD) be surgically implanted.
Because of Hudson’s complex medical needs, a multidisciplinary team approach was crucial to his health. Dr. Friedland-Little, Hudson’s VAD surgeon, consulted with other VAD experts across the country and in Europe who had experience doing transplants on patients with muscular dystrophy.
“My hope was that we would be able to use a VAD as a bridge to get a transplant,” Dr. Friedland-Little explained. “Diseases like Hudson’s are so rare; Seattle Children’s is fortunate to have connections with specialists around the world who have experience caring for patients like Hudson.”
After Hudson’s VAD surgery he had to build strength to ensure he was strong enough for his heart transplant and be added to the heart transplant list. He had the support of physical therapists, neurologists, pulmonologists and nutritionists, but it was gaming therapy that really helped.
“We tried a lot of different therapies to manage Hudson’s pain and get him moving, and gaming therapy was the best thing he responded to,” Travis, Hudson’s dad said.
Eventually, Hudson was healthy enough to be added to the donor list. Two weeks later, he got a new heart!
Today, Hudson is stronger than his providers ever expected he could be. He’s walking, swimming and hopes to become a pro gamer one day.
You can read more about Hudson’s story On the Pulse.
Any new or returning Extra Life participant who was unable to fundraise in the prior calendar year can join Hudson’s “Zero to Hero” Club and earn a limited-edition Extra Life enamel pin by successfully completing a Seattle Children’s fundraising challenge in the current year.
Register through DonorDrive or Tiltify and you’ll receive our monthly Seattle Extra Life eNews with details on each month’s fundraising challenge!
Extra Life unites thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $70 million for sick and injured kids. Sign up today and dedicate a day of play for kids in your community! Be a hero. Sign Up today!