ABOUT ELLIOT
Defying The Odds
Elliot came into this world 3 months premature at the Intensive Care Nursery at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) and was given an 18% chance of survival. Weighing only 1 pound, 9 ounces the odds for survival were against him from the start. On day five of life he experienced his first surgery to repair a tear in his intestine. At 21-days-old, his lungs collapsed which resulted in Elliot being put on a ventilator. Over the next few months, Elliot fought for his life. After 121 days in the hospital, he came home on oxygen, with a feeding tube and his next challenge, bilateral club feet.
Today, Elliot still has his feeding tube, wears glasses, and runs with AFO braces. To date, Elliot has undergone over 50 surgeries and procedures all helping him learn to walk, see, eat, and breathe. The big spirited and determined 12 year old has overcome many things and is committed to giving back.
GIVING BACK
Supporting Those Who Saved His Life
After spending 121 days in the intensive care nursery at CHaD, Elliot came home. Driving home with Elliot, his oxygen and all his other medical supplies was overwhelming, with every bump on the highway his oxygen machine would collaborate, a sound we would become very familiar with over the next 9 months. Arriving home we were greeted by many new friends; the local fire department, a physical therapist, our neonatologist and one of Elliot's nurses, we knew this would be our new normal. Digging thru 3 months of mail that evening we discovered a card with a $5,000 check from the "Friends of Elliot Perry," with a note explaining that the check was to assist with any out of pocket costs for Elliot's care. The donation was heartwarming and eye-opening and from that day forward we have been giving back to CHaD, the place that made us a family.
BATTLE OF BADGES
Elliot and his player buddy, Manchester Police Officer Kyle Daly team up year after year to raise money for CHaD. The dynamic duo has raised over $100,000 in the last 5 years and continue to be one of the highest fundraising teams each year. The friendship and growth between these two has been heartwarming to watch.
COMMITTED
For 9 years, Elliot has been an advocate for himself and others.
At 4 years old, Elliot testified before Congress to advocate for kids with medical disabilities and lobbied his congressional delegation to support the Kids Care Act.
At 6 year old Elliot began his "career" as a Dunkin Donuts employee promoting Iced Coffee Day, where local proceeds benefit CHaD. Elliot continues to promote Iced Coffee Day each year and can be spotted at his local Dunkin Donuts drivethru.
At age 6 and 7, Elliot served as the Child Representative for Easterseals New Hampshire where he attended and spoke at nearly 30 events and helped raise hundred of thousands of dollars.
At age 8, Elliot received the US Cellular 16 Under 16 award for his philanthropic big heart and his commitment to CHaD. This award came with $10,000 and Elliot donated all of it to CHaD.
Yearly, Elliot can be found hosting bowling and mini golf tournaments, as well as his famous spaghetti dinner, all of which provide additional funding to CHaD.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
MICHELLE
ALUKONIS
Hudson, NH
ROSS
BERRY
Manchester, NH
SARAH
CADDEN
Amherst, NH
TYLER
CLARK
Amherst, NH
MICHELLE
CHRETIEN
Manchester, NH
KYLE
DALY
Goffstown, NH
STEPHANIE
DUBOIS
Manchester, NH
RANDY
FREDERICKSON
Manchester, NH
LUCY
LANGE
Bedford, NH
BJ
PERRY
Bedford, NH
CARRIE
PERRY
Bedford, NH
ANDREW
PROVENCHER
Bedford, NH
MIKE
RAMSHAW
Londonderry, NH
CRAIG
STEVENS
Bedford, NH
MARGARET
THERRIEN
Hooksett, NH
CHRIS
THOMPSON
Bennington, NH
HOLLY HORST
Manchester, NH