Dear Friends and Supporters,
For those of you who do not know, I am currently working as a nurse in the Children's Hospital of Colorado Cardiac ICU. I am excited to share that I will be participating in the 2025 Courage Classic Bicycle Tour on July 19-20 at Copper Mountain, Colorado. This annual event brings together riders, volunteers, and families to support Children's Hospital Colorado, where I have the privilege of working as a nurse in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).
Our CICU team provides expert, comprehensive care for critically ill children with congenital and acquired heart diseases. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect, affecting nearly 1% of births each year in the United States. These defects can vary from mild conditions, like small holes in the heart, to severe malformations requiring immediate intervention.
Thanks to advancements in medical care and treatment, many individuals with CHDs are living longer and healthier lives. However, even with surgical repairs, many are not cured and require ongoing specialized care throughout their lives.
This year, I have the honor of riding for Mac.
"Mac, is a fighter with a smile that lights up every room. Born with complex heart and lung challenges, he has spent much of his young life in and out of Children’s Hospital due to increased work of breathing. A bronchoscopy revealed that part of his left lung was 90-100% collapsed and on April 29, 2025, Mac underwent critical open heart surgery led by Dr. Downs. The procedure included ligation and division of PDA, complete repair of partial AVSD, primary closure of a large secundum ASD extending into the venous sinus of the atrium, main pulmonary arterioplasty, and descending aortopexy. Thanks to the incredible care from the cardiology and pulmonology teams and the wonderful nurses, Mac is recovering remarkably fast. Your support for Children’s Hospital helps kids like Mac keep smiling through their battles."
The Courage Classic is more than just a bike ride; it's an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of these children and their families. As the single largest fundraising event for Children's Hospital Colorado, the Courage Classic helps provide lifesaving care for patients and families at the region's only nonprofit pediatric hospital.
I invite you to join me in supporting this vital cause. Your contribution will directly impact the lives of children like Mac, battling heart defects, providing them with the care and resources they need to thrive. Together, we can create a better world for these young patients, one pedal at a time.
Thank you for your generosity and support.
Warm regards,
Nikk Cheever
