My partner is a cardiologist at Children's Hospital Colorado who travels to Steamboat Springs every other month to bring pediatric cardiology services to Yampa Valley families. I am riding the Courage Classic this year in memory of Levi, whose family and herd continue to bring hope and love to the congenital heart community through emotional support, care packages, and so much more. Your donation helps the Heart Institute provide top-notch care to children not only in the Denver metro area, but also in important communities like the Yampa Valley.
On April 5, 2021, Levi came into this world with the bravery of a buffalo facing a fierce winter storm. He was born at Children's Hospital Colorado with a long list of congenital heart defects including Heterotaxy, right atrial isomerism, AVSD, DORV, TAPVR, pulmonary atresia, and obstruction of his pulmonary veins. He had his first open heart surgery at six hours old. Levi fought an uphill battle with chylous effusion, fevers, pain, poor perfusion, and infection. He persevered through ECMO, emergency open heart surgeries, cardiac catheterizations and quadruple amputation. For 119 days he brought light and joy to everyone who cared for him. On August 2, 2021, he was called home to receive his angel wings.