What goes around comes around for grateful parents

Paul Gross figures he owes Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center big time. Folks at Children's saved his young son's life twice.

He and his wife, Lori Poliski, are raising money for the hospital by teaming up motocross enthusiasts and professionals. Their event, MX for Children, coincides with the April 29 Amp'd Mobile Supercross race at Qwest Field in Seattle.

The Woodinville couple's son, William, was born 10 weeks premature on Jan. 10, 2005. William's underdeveloped lungs required gently pumping air into him for 12 hours until he was stable enough to be put on a ventilator. The next two days were one medical complication after another, including damaged lungs and bleeding in the brain. He's had three surgeries to monitor and control fluid on the brain.

Last November William underwent surgery to fix a failed brain shunt. Gross and Poliski were in the recovery room and watched in horror as their baby had a grand mal seizure.

"We were scared to death," Gross said. "Only one nurse was in the room, but when she hit the big red [emergency] button, doctors streamed in and took control. It was horrifying, but they got him breathing again."

Today William smiles at everyone, a captivating grin that earns him instant friends and fans even though he still struggles with ongoing medical problems.

"Since they saved William, I've been saying, 'How can I do something for this hospital?' " Gross said. "The best way is to combine charities you care about with activities you're passionate about."

For Gross that's motocross — lightweight motorcycles racing off-road courses, similar to dirt-biking trails. For competition, it is done around dirt tracks.

It's a sport he loves but rarely has time to do anymore. The couple has two medically fragile children. Their nearly 3-year-old daughter was also premature. Gross, a former Microsoft executive, works part time at a venture-capital firm.

Lack of time, however, didn't keep him from organizing a small event at the Monroe racetrack last July. Without much publicity and with no volunteers, he raised $10,000 for Children's Hospital. Nice, he thought, but not enough.

Gross and Poliski founded The Motocross Guild for Children's Hospital, and Gross began a campaign to get the traveling professional supercross racers aboard.

His efforts will pay off when the Amp'd Mobile Supercross race rolls into Seattle.

The riders will swing through Children's Hospital to sign autographs and give souvenirs to patients. Gross and Poliski have organized a raffle for a 2006 Suzuki RM-Z50 and an auction for gear and guest appearances by the leading racers. The 25 motocross fans who raise the most money will get to meet supercross star Ricky Carmichael on race day and walk the race course on Qwest Field.

Gross figured out early he needed more volunteers. He partnered with another Children's group, the Imagine Guild. Those members are motorcycle riders. They helped sell raffle tickets and round up auction items.

The auction and meet-the-racers event will be at Renton Motorcycles on April 28. Gross expects 3,000 fans that night.

He's doing this not just for William, but for all kids who need a hospital like Children's. Gross and Poliski know firsthand there are other great hospitals.

The couple lived on the East Coast when Claire was born seven weeks premature. She had fewer medical problems than William but still needed help.

"You could say the sibling rivalry started early between these two, seeing who could be more premature and have the biggest challenges," he said.

Gross hopes to see MX for Children expand to other cities on the supercross circuit. His goal is to add two cities next year, building up to events in all 17 venues.

"It takes so little effort for Supercross to integrate this into their circuit," he said. "All we have to do is find parents like us in other cities to help. I worked for Microsoft and that's the Microsoft mentality. Never be satisfied with a little area, go for the big market share.

"The same drive will work for children's hospitals."

Sherry Grindeland: 206-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com