Dr. Nathan Birch

Nate's youngest daughter (Claire) is a pediatric leukemia survivor.

The chemotherapy was very hard to take; however, we were very fortunate to live within 5 miles of the hospital and have a lot of medical experience. I'm from a small town in Nebraska and couldn't help but think about how hard it was for those families when I would see them in the elevators with their hometown shirts sporting local pride.

Like so many things that we should do - that desire to give back and make things better for the next family. became something I would do someday.

Just after finishing nearly three years of chemotherapy, we learned about the first Ava's Army Gala through Children's Hospital. It was our first event not having to worry about low blood counts or potential medical complications.

I bought as much stuff at that first event as we could fit in our Hyundai Santa Fe and then a little bit more. Bids were on paper and getting out of the event required standing in line to pay where I met the Reinert Family- making it happen while their daughter was getting chemotherapy.

That’s when my someday became today. I have the portrait of Johnny Cash from that night hanging in my living room to remind me that today is that day.

It's been great to grow with the gala. I’m very excited to be part of the board.