From the sidelines to center court: Graysen's Mile Champion journey
Graysen Sinkewicz was just a year old at a routine pediatrician visit when a quiet murmur caught the doctor's ear. Soon after, he received a diagnosis that would shape the years ahead: a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect in which the aortic valve forms with two leaflets instead of three.
Graysen is the son of Amy Robinson, a senior compliance specialist at Bread Financial®. When Amy and her family moved to Columbus, Ohio, for a new job opportunity, finding the right care for Graysen became one of their first priorities. His doctor ultimately referred him to a cardiologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, beginning years of regular checkups, imaging and specialized care.
“Over the years, the hospital’s outstanding support, expertise and genuine compassion have been a steady source of comfort,” Amy said. “I've always felt he was in the best hands possible.”
As Graysen grew, so did his love of football. But during a 2025 checkup, his care team found his aorta had developed a moderate ascending dilation, meaning the main artery leaving his heart was wider than normal. Their guidance was gentle but firm: no more high-impact contact sports.
“It was hard watching him have to step back from the sport he loved after only being able to play one year of middle school football,” Amy said. “But the risk was simply too high.”
Instead of dwelling on what he lost, Graysen found a new way forward. He picked up tennis, a sport that keeps him active while prioritizing his health. Now 15, Amy says he’s doing great and enjoying life as a typical teenage boy.
Graysen will need lifelong cardiology care, but he continues to move forward with his parents and his Nationwide Children’s Hospital care team by his side.
"From our first cardiology appointment and every year since, we know he is in great hands," Amy said.
The ongoing care is why Graysen is looking forward to serving as a Mile Champion at the upcoming Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon. On Sunday, Oct. 18, he’ll represent Bread Financial at the seven-mile marker and cheer on runners alongside family and Bread Financial associates.
From our first cardiology appointment and every year since, we know he is in great hands."
Amy Robinson - Graysen's mom
For 11 years, Bread Financial has sponsored the marathon’s seven-mile marker, spotlighting associates’ loved ones as Mile Champions. Graysen is one of 24 young patients who will share their stories to highlight the impact of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Encore Mile (mile 12) recognizes past champions, and the Remembrance Mile (mile 11) honors those no longer with us.
"On race day, we provide various experiences and opportunities for the Mile Champion and their family to share their story and celebrate them," Ben Kozberg, vice president of development at Nationwide Children's Hospital, said. " We want to make sure that Mile Champions and their families feel special. We're forever grateful for the amount of support Bread Financial has provided through the marathon but also Nationwide Children's Hospital as a whole."
Those who would like to support Graysen’s team can donate through his fundraising page. All proceeds benefit the Nationwide Children’s cardiology research program. Since 2012, the marathon has raised $13 million to support life-saving research and care.
Graysen shares that runners can expect a tennis theme at his mile, complete with a giant tennis racket, a nod to the new passion he discovered on his health journey. He'll be there cheering every runner on, wishing them luck and reminding everyone the finish line is just ahead.
Game, set, match, Graysen.
About Nationwide Children's Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 17,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.9 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.
About Bread Financial®
Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, technology, electronics, jewelry, home and specialty apparel through our co-brand and private label credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers. Additionally, we offer Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and saving products that empower our customers and their passions for a better life.
Bread Financial proudly marks 30 years of success in 2026. To learn more about our global associates, our performance and our sustainability progress, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
