Severn Mom Turns Family Adversity Into Charitable Giving

After celebrating the birthday of her 2-year-old daughter, Calli, Jen Chambers knew something was wrong.

The Severn mom said her daughter was the size of a 9-month-old, despite being 2. After extensive testing, Calli Chambers was diagnosed with a Growth Hormone Deficiency, forcing her to take daily hormone injections.

Now, almost 1,460 injections later, 6-year-old Calli has grown almost 14 inches and gained almost 23 pounds in four years thanks to the treatment.

“Calli produces almost no growth hormone on her own,” Chambers said.

Almost immediately after learning of her daughter’s condition, Chambers decided to join the Major Aspects of Growth in Children (MAGIC) Foundation as a regional representative. Since then, Chambers has hosted a charity “walk” event every year and raised more than $45,000 with the help of donations from friends, family and businesses.

In November, Chambers and supporters of the MAGIC Foundation will host the fifth annual MAGIC Walk, an event that started with 39 people and has now grown to more than 100.

“In 2007, we raised $3,295,” Chambers said. Just three years later, the event quadrupled its fund-raising efficiency and produced $18,500 for the MAGIC Foundation, she said.

The event includes lunch, raffles, kid’s activities and more, said Chambers.

The money raised from the walk goes toward the Educational Convention held by the MAGIC Foundation and other support services for families with children who have growth deficiencies. The foundation is something the Chambers family is supremely grateful to be connected to, said the local mom.

“We are so thankful to know why she wasn’t growing and that we are able to get the medicine she needs,” Chambers said. “My family has been blessed with amazing friends and family and the best doctors.”

In an effort to raise even more money, Chambers and the MAGIC Foundation formed a partnership with Let’s Dish, a popular do-it-yourself business that allows families to either make their own meal or take home a fully prepared dinner.

“Let’s Dish is donating 10 percent of sales to the 2011 Walk for MAGIC,” said Chambers, when patrons use the promotional code.

Information on the Chambers’ family journey with Calli and the MAGIC Walk can be found here.