For my seventh year riding the Courage Classic with the Cardiac Climbers, I’m honored to continue supporting the incredible cardiac patients and families at Children's Hospital Colorado.
Although I now work in the pediatric emergency department, I will always be a cardiac peds nurse at heart. This year, I’m dedicating my ride in memory and honor of Gabriel.
“Gabriel was diagnosed prenatally with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. What was expected to be a straightforward heart cath quickly became far more complex. At just 3 weeks old, he was transferred to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where he was also diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly, right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation, left main coronary artery atresia, and an atrial septal defect. Our world came crashing down when he experienced cardiac ischemia on the very day he was to be officially listed for a heart transplant. He will forever be deeply loved and missed.”
I ride and fundraise in honor of patients like Gabriel and the countless children and families impacted by congenital heart disease. Supporting this community means so much to me, and I’m grateful to give back to the patients and families I had the privilege of caring for on the cardiac unit.
