Howdy + welcome to my fundraising page for the 2026 Children’s Hospital Courage Classic.
As many of you reading this already know, I am a nurse in the Cardiac ICU (intensive care unit) at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where I have the privilege of caring for children and families navigating some of the most challenging times in their lives. The Heart Institute is a place where children from all over the region come to receive life-saving surgeries, transplants, and ongoing care that quite literally changes the trajectory of their lives.
This year, I am riding for of one of the patients who I have recently had the opportunity to care for, Hunter!!
Hunter is one of the funniest, bravest, and most inspiring heart warriors I have had the honor of caring for. He was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at just 5 years old, and over time, his condition progressed to the point where he needed a heart transplant. In November 2025, Hunter received his first heart transplant. Unfortunately, he experienced graft failure and had to be relisted for a second transplant.
In February 2026, Hunter received his second heart transplant! He is recovering well and, at the time of writing this, is hopefully preparing to return home to New Mexico soon!!
I had the privilege of being part of Hunter’s care team during both of his transplant journeys. Being able to walk alongside him and his family through moments of uncertainty, hope, setbacks, and ultimately progress is something I will never forget. These are the kinds of patients and families who remind us why this work matters so deeply.
There is something incredibly powerful about watching children who have spent so much time in a hospital finally get to step outside those walls. Returning to school, playing with friends, and simply being kids again. Those moments are made possible by the care teams, resources, and ongoing support that surround them every step of the way.
Your donation directly supports the work we do at Children’s Hospital Colorado and helps provide the advanced care, equipment, research, and family support that patients like Hunter depend on throughout their journey.
If you are able, I would be deeply grateful if you considered donating to my goal of $2,000 this year. And if donating isn’t possible, sharing this page helps extend its reach further than you might think and I truly appreciate it.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting the children and families who inspire it!
Sincerely,
Raúl A. Torres
