Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Participants and donors are being sought for an upcoming fundraising event for a local non-profit that supports families with loved ones in the hospital who are facing financial hardships.

Larry Prout Jr. was born on June 11th, 2001 at the University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital. He has nearly died countless times and endured 114 surgeries due to severe spina bifida, cloacal extropy, short guy syndrome, club feet, mild CP and a massive omphalocele, as well as many other complex medical diagnoses.

In 2022, the family started the non-profit “The Larry Prout Junior Courage Fund” in his honor. Larry is the youngest of six children in the family. The fund gives grants to Mott Hospital families with financial needs that become a hardship when people have a loved one in the hospital.

To date, Larry has helped 185 families and has raised over $200,000. The non-profit is all-volunteer and all proceeds go to the families.

Larry’s mom Kathy told WHMI over the years; the community, friends and family, even strangers have helped their family during some of the toughest times in their life when Larry has been sick or having surgeries and they always knew that they wanted to give back someday.

Prout said just everyday things can become a real hardship when people have a loved one in the hospital – noting most patients have very chronic, life threatening complex health issues and are there for a long time. She said they are unique in all the money they raise goes right back into the pockets of families who are really struggling.

Grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 are awarded, which can be used for all of the things that insurance doesn’t cover – gas, hotels, food, utilities, car repairs, and many other basic necessities.

The non-profit and Larry are hosting the 3rd annual "Run with the Bear" 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk/Roll fundraising event on Saturday, June 28th at the Pinckney/Navigator school complex. The only change with this year’s event is that the route will not encompass the Lakeland trail due to safety issues with crossing M-36.

So far, Larry has already raised $50,000 for this year’s event and the family is hoping to get more runners and participants registered to help aid as many families as possible.

Larry, now 23-years-old, told WHMI he’s been doing well and is very excited about the event and can’t wait to see all of friends and family – noting they have a lot of sponsors and donors helping out.

This year’s event will be specially dedicated to honoring Larry Jr.’s friend and surgeon Dr. Park – who started out last year’s race pushing Larry and recently passed away.

Prout said Dr. Park had cared for Larry since she was 22-weeks pregnant – and he and Dr. Hirschl were his two main surgeons, performing most of his over 100 surgeries. She said sadly Dr. Park was diagnosed with incurable stomach cancer last year and they will honor his memory and everything he’s done for thousands of kids and families at the hospital.

Larry added they loved Dr. Park very much – describing him as “super fun and super smart, very kind and very loving” – and they are praying for his family.

Participants can register in advance or on the day of the event. Last year, there were around 300 runners.

Links to sign-up and for more information about the non-profit are both provided. Any families in need can ALSO find an application on the non-profit’s website.