After years of cheering on the sidelines, I am so excited to be here as a rider! This year, I am riding to give hope to Children’s Hospital Colorado patients like Maven.
Maven was diagnosed with Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV), a rare congenital (present at birth) heart condition. This means she had both her pulmonary artery and aorta leave from the right heart. A normal heart has 2 upper chambers (atrium) and 2 lower chambers (ventricles). Maven's heart had a hole so big she had no separation of her ventricles. This caused all the oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix within her heart. Since her heart couldn't pump correctly, and due to a small mitral valve, her lungs were flooded and she had a hard time keeping her oxygen levels up.
There was a lot of uncertainty for her family with this diagnosis. Additional tests were needed to see if she was missing a chromosome and ensure all other organs were all in place. After waiting for Maven to grow a bit bigger, she had surgery at 14 weeks Mom says it was the hardest moment ever handing her over to the surgeons!
She never had the missing chromosome, all organs ended up in place, and surgery was successful in keeping her heart intact! She was on oxygen 10 months to build the pressures and help grow the left side of her heart. She continued to outdo everything the doctors believed would happen! A year after her surgery, her cardiologist finally told Maven's family "she wasn’t sure this was gonna be our story, but Maven is a miracle and fighter!" Maven is now a happy and HEALTHY 2-year old!!
Your donation to The Courage Classic is an opportunity to support positive outcomes and healthier futures for kids like Maven!! Thank you for being here and for your support!!
