This will be my 7th year riding with the Cardiac Climbers in the Courage Classic bike tour and this year is EXTRA special as my 16 year old daughter, Mariah will be riding with me!! We will be training hard over the next few weeks preparing to conquer 120 miles through the beautiful mountains of Colorado on July 18 and 19th. This year, we will be riding in honor of Jayla, a strong, resilient, and beautiful little heart warrior. Jayla is a fighter, and a shining example of why we do what we do. All money raised goes directly to the Heart Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado for research and specialized equipment to help improve the care provided to children like Jayla. As a nurse for the Heart Institute since 2014, this ride and fundraiser is dear to my heart. Please read Jayla's story below and consider making a donation to help me and my daughter reach our fundraising goals! Thank you!!
Jayla Angelique was diagnosed with Tetralogy Of Fallot and Pulmonary Atresia at 21 weeks gestation. We were then told we would have to relocate to Colorado around 36 weeks which was 10 hours away from home. Jayla was born on February 15th and was also diagnosed with MAPCAs and DiGeorge Syndrome. She spent 8 months living in Children’s Hospital Colorado. She faced many difficulties along the way with feeding being the biggest issue. Jayla had a g-tube placed on April 14th, 2023 and that was her only source for nutrition. She refused to take anything by mouth. On September 14th, 2023 Jayla had her first open heart surgery and it went very well and was able to discharge locally a few weeks later. We were then able to go home to New Mexico in October 2023. Fast forward to now Jayla is a happy and thriving 3 year old. She is truly a warrior and we are so proud of her!"
