Breath of Hope Rhode Island Community Raises $120,000 to Advance Research at UNC Children’s

Through the incredible dedication of Nancy and David Curran, their daughter Erin Vazquez, and son-in-law Jaymes Vazquez, the Breath of Hope Rhode Island (BOHRI) community has made an extraordinary impact this year, contributing $120,000 to advance research and care for children with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH), a rare and often life-threatening lung disease.

Founded in honor of Erin and Jaymes’s seven-year-old son, Landon, the Foundation unites dozens of families and supporters committed to improving the lives of children affected by IPH.

The Tournament

The centerpiece of this year’s efforts was the annual Breath of Hope Golf Tournament, held September 27, 2025, in Rhode Island. The event brought together families, friends, and supporters who share a powerful mission: to bring hope and answers to children facing IPH. The tournament alone raised $70,000, adding to the BOHRI community’s year-round fundraising and advocacy efforts.

This remarkable generosity is fueling groundbreaking research at UNC Children’s, where Dr. Eveline Wu, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, and Dr. Timothy J. Vece, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and pediatric pulmonologist, are leading efforts to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for children like Landon.

Dr. Wu attended the event to thank the Curran and Vazquez families and share how BOHRI’s support is propelling meaningful progress. “It’s truly inspiring what Nancy, Rich, and the entire BOHRI community have done,” said Dr. Wu. “Their commitment is giving us the momentum to answer the questions families like the Vazquezes face at diagnosis: What causes this disease? What treatments are safe? What does the future look like for our children?”

In her remarks, Dr. Wu shared Landon’s journey—from a healthy baby to a series of hospitalizations, culminating in an IPH diagnosis at just 18 months old. She described the fear and uncertainty families feel when facing such a rare disease, but also the hope that comes when community members turn compassion into action.

The Impact

Thanks to events like Breath of Hope Rhode Island, UNC Children’s is now establishing a national patient registry for both idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) and idiopathic pulmonary capillaritis (IPC). Co-led by Dr. Wu and Dr. Vece, the registry will bring together data from hospitals across the country to help researchers better understand these rare conditions, identify the most effective treatments, and ultimately shorten the time it takes to diagnose and care for affected children

“This kind of partnership,” Dr. Wu told attendees, “gives families everywhere hope. With your help, we’re building the foundation for discoveries that can save lives.”

The whole night reflected that sense of purpose, honoring the resilience of families affected by IPH and celebrating the generosity of a community determined to change what’s possible for children’s health.

To learn more about opportunities to support the work of Dr. Eveline Wu and Dr. Timothy Vece, contact Cameron Lafferty, Assistant Director of Development, UNC Health Foundation..