Families Kick Off Annual Ride For Children With Limb Deformities At Sinai Hospital

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Families of children with limb deformities travel from around the world to be treated at Sinai Hospital. This weekend marks the eighth annual Save A Limb Ride, raising money to support families at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics.

Jessica Kartalija reports.

Surrounded by hundreds of her closest friends, eight-year-old Elizabeth Gardner leads students at Cedarmere Elementary School on a mini walk around campus.

"She was born with thrombocytopenia. Basically, it's a blood disorder. But compounded with that, she doesn't have radius bones in her arms," said Chris Gardner, father.

Elizabeth has already had 26 surgeries and is being treated at Sinai Hospital's Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics.

"We are extremely, highly specialized. We're the international center for limb lengthening and reconstruction. We also have a hip and joint preservation center," said Marilyn Richardson, the pediatric liaison at Rubin Institute.

The Save A Limb fund helps families of children with limb deformities treated at the Rubin Institute.

This weekend marks the eighth annual Save A Limb Ride at Oregon Ridge Park with professional cyclists and participants from the CBS hit show Survivor.

"We have face painting, caricature artists, all kinds of arts and crafts and a petting zoo. We have a lot of stuff for families to come out and have fun and it's all included with the registration fee," Richardson said.

The mini walk is all about being a superhero. Even Batman made a debut.

"We've always known Elizabeth is special to us, but every single kid out here doing the walk is special," Chris Gardner said.

Cedarmere students and staff were excited to participate in the kickoff for this year's Save A Limb Ride.

Other Local News: