As River’s proud aunt, I will never forget the joy we felt when he was born in January 2021. He was our first baby in this new generation of our family, and we were completely in love from the start. Just days after his birth, we learned he would face a heart journey no one expected. It was overwhelming and heartbreaking—but even then, River showed us just how strong he was.

Those early months weren’t easy, but River fought with a strength far beyond his tiny size. Our family leaned on each other, hope, and the incredible care team at Children’s Nebraska, who carried us through some of our hardest days.

Now, five years later, River is 5 years old and absolutely thriving. He is energetic, joyful, and full of personality—running, playing, and keeping all of us on our toes. Watching him grow into the strong, resilient boy he is today is one of the greatest gifts. I have never been prouder to be his aunt.

Let's raise $500 for each year in honor of River—celebrating his journey, his strength, and the incredible heart that keeps beating stronger every day. 500 for 5!