Charlie’s Challenge Helps MetroHealth Support Families After Infant Loss

After losing their third son to stillbirth, Katherine and David Corvi of Hudson wanted to keep their son’s memory alive. They found the answer in establishing The Charles Martin Corvi Fund and Charlie’s Challenge.

The fifth annual Charlie’s Challenge will be held on Saturday, September 12, when participants can walk, run or bike on the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath Trail through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The event raises money to support local healthcare systems, such as MetroHealth, and nonprofits that help families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Register here.

“This is a way that we can still parent Charlie and make him a part of the family and a part of the world that he won’t get to experience, as well as all the other babies,” David said.

Charlie’s Challenge resonates with Greater Cleveland residents, especially once they learn that 21,000 babies die each year of stillbirth, he added.

“The more we shared our story and Charlie’s story, it made a connection with people,” David said, so much so that Charlie’s Challenge has raised more than $100,000 for MetroHealth and other organizations.  

This year, 200 people have already registered to participate in an event that has evolved and grown. Local businesses have donated enough items for a bigger raffle and two food trucks will be in attendance. Activities such as bracelet making and face painting will give people more reasons to stick around afterward and enjoy each other’s company.

All money raised helps sustain valuable programs at MetroHealth and beyond, said Patricia Kachmyers, Manager of Ambulatory Social Work at MetroHealth. 

“These funds provide critical assistance during times of profound grief – helping ease financial burdens such as living expenses and funeral costs while ensuring families have compassionate support when they need it most,” she added.

For the Corvi family, Charlie’s Challenge has also helped lift what felt like a dark cloud over them, David said.  

“We’ve gotten very comfortable with Charlie’s loss. Charlie is our son. He has three siblings who talk about him daily because he’s a member of the family,” he said.  

David and Katherine support MetroHealth because they had a lot of support from their community when they lost Charlie, but they know not everyone is so fortunate.

“There are people who have major obstacles and burdens that prevent them from being able to grieve for their lost child,” David said. Donating and openly sharing stories of pregnancy or infant loss helps keep the issue top of mind and creates awareness of what people experience when they lose a child.

You can support Charlie’s Challenge 2026 and serve as a champion by participating, fundraising for the event or donating to The Charles Martin Corvi Fund.

For more information, visit The MetroHealth Foundation or contact Abbie Sender, Philanthropy Officer at asender1@metrohealth.org or 440-592-1390.