Hank was a typical one year old boy until two weeks after his first birthday when he began having uncontrollable seizures and was rushed to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville.  After a month of tests, seizure medications, and an induced coma, genetic testing revealed that Hank had Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome, a rare genetic mitochondrial disorder caused by a mutation in his DNA.  There is currently no cure and very few treatment options.  The neurology team at Norton Children’s partnered with other specialists around the country to give Hank the longest and best life possible. The prognosis for Alpers predicts a child not to make it past two years of age.  Although he was in pediatric intensive care at Children’s many times, Hank lived past three and gave everyone so much joy. The nurses and doctors at Norton Children’s are amazing and we feel so blessed to have had them care for our Hank.

In memory of Hank, we are excited to again be hosting the HankStrong Legacy Golf Scramble on Sept. 18, 2021 with all proceeds benefiting Norton Children’s Hospital.  Hank gained his wings on August 9th, 2020 just before last year’s scramble, but we continued in his memory. We are committed to helping fund treatments for children facing similar struggles. We raised more than $20,000 last year and had a tremendous turnout of players and volunteers that loved our Hank and wanted to honor him by helping other children.

Learn more at HankStrong.org. 

Thank you for your support - Brad and Lisa Sutherland