I am so excited to participate in my first Courage Classic and am looking forward to the challenge of the ride and the opportunity to raise money for my newest cardiac home, the Heart Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado! As an adult with congenital heart disease, I know that truly great cardiac care is about more than just the medical interventions. It's about the people and working together to ensure that life extends beyond the bounds of cardiac limitations.
In that spirit, I am honored to be dedicating my ride to Zane and Zeke, two brothers and fellow heart warriors. Their mom, Kayla, shared a bit about their journey below:
"Brothers Zane, 8, and Zeke, 6, were both born with a heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
Both boys were born at the Fetal Care Center at Children's Hospital Colorado and immediately transferred to the CICU. Zane underwent his first open heart surgery at 5 days old, his second at 4 months old and his third at two years old. At a clinic appointment in early 2024, a mass was found on Zane's tricuspid valve. He was started on blood thinners because it was believed the mass was a blood clot stuck on the sutures of his previous valve repair. After several months of the mass not shrinking, Zane was brought back for his fourth open heart surgery in February of 2025. The mass, which turned out to be cyst-like, was removed successfully. Since then, Zane has thrived!
Zeke underwent his first open heart surgery at two days old. The surgery went as expected, but shortly after, Zeke got extremely sick, and his heart stopped at just four days old. Zeke was placed on ECMO for three and a half weeks in the CICU. Zeke successfully came home after 74 days in the hospital, where we enjoyed two months with our boy at home. At four months old, Zeke was brought to the ED by ambulance, where his heart stopped again. 24 hours later, his heart stopped for a third time. Zeke went into heart failure and was ultimately listed for a heart transplant. Zeke received his gift of life at eight months old, and after 123 days in the hospital, we brought him home!
Our boys are both living the best life today. Zane loves all things Colorado Avalanche and plays baseball. Zeke has started running and loves to try to keep up with his big brother. None of that would be possible without the team in the Heart Institute. They gave our family the chance to watch our boys grow up. Donating will help other families, like ours, get the chance to see their babies grow into amazing people."
Thank you for supporting these brave little hearts!
Cailey
