Casen Steele Riley
8/31/09 - 3/5/10
Absolutely. I’d make it a little more polished and powerful while keeping the heart of Casen’s story and the reason behind Casen’s Crew front and center.
You may have heard of a student who suddenly went into cardiac arrest while playing on an athletic field, or of a seemingly healthy baby who passed away unexpectedly in their sleep. What many people don’t realize is that pediatric cardiomyopathy may be the underlying cause.
I had never heard the words pediatric cardiomyopathy until October 4, 2009. That was the day my husband and I sat in a hospital room at Cook Children’s Medical Center and were told that our precious 2-month-old son, Casen, had Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Casen was born on August 31, 2009, ten weeks premature. His lungs were underdeveloped, but otherwise, he seemed to be a healthy, happy baby. Then one day, his heart rate suddenly climbed to more than 240 beats per minute. After extensive testing, we learned that his heart was affected by a disease we had never even heard of.
Doctors placed Casen on heart medication, and we hoped and prayed that everything would be okay. But just a few months later, while Casen was hospitalized with RSV, his heart went into a dangerous rhythm. Despite every effort to save him, we lost our precious son when he was only six months old.
There are no words to adequately describe the heartbreak of losing a child. Casen was our only child, and although we only had him for six short months, he left an everlasting imprint on our hearts.
Casen was a precious little boy with the most infectious brown eyes and an unforgettable smile. He loved being held, talked to, and surrounded by the people who loved him. He was a fighter from the very beginning and never gave up.
It is too late to save Casen, but it is not too late for the thousands of other children and families who are affected by cardiomyopathy.
That is why we continue to share Casen’s story. That is why we raise awareness. That is why we fund research. And that is why we come together each year as Casen’s Crew—to keep his memory alive while helping give other families hope.
Our greatest hope is that by telling Casen’s story, more people will learn about pediatric cardiomyopathy, recognize the importance of heart health, and understand that this devastating disease can affect children of any age.
Casen may have only been here for six months, but his life continues to make a difference. His story is still being written through every family we help, every person we educate, and every step we take toward a future where fewer families have to experience this kind of loss.
For Casen. For his legacy. For the children and families still fighting. ❤️🩵
You may have heard of a student who suddenly went into cardiac arrest while playing on an athletic field, or of a seemingly healthy baby who passed away unexpectedly in their sleep. What many people don’t realize is that pediatric cardiomyopathy may be the underlying cause.
I had never heard the words pediatric cardiomyopathy until October 4, 2009. That was the day my husband and I sat in a hospital room at Cook Children’s Medical Center and were told that our precious 2-month-old son, Casen, had Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Casen was born on August 31, 2009, ten weeks premature. His lungs were underdeveloped, but otherwise, he seemed to be a healthy, happy baby. Then one day, his heart rate suddenly climbed to more than 240 beats per minute. After extensive testing, we learned that his heart was affected by a disease we had never even heard of.
Doctors placed Casen on heart medication, and we hoped and prayed that everything would be okay. But just a few months later, while Casen was hospitalized with RSV, his heart went into a dangerous rhythm. Despite every effort to save him, we lost our precious son when he was only six months old.
There are no words to adequately describe the heartbreak of losing a child. Casen was our only child, and although we only had him for six short months, he left an everlasting imprint on our hearts.
Casen was a precious little boy with the most infectious brown eyes and an unforgettable smile. He loved being held, talked to, and surrounded by the people who loved him. He was a fighter from the very beginning and never gave up.
It is too late to save Casen, but it is not too late for the thousands of other children and families who are affected by cardiomyopathy.
That is why we continue to share Casen’s story. That is why we raise awareness. That is why we fund research. And that is why we come together each year as Casen’s Crew—to keep his memory alive while helping give other families hope.
Our greatest hope is that by telling Casen’s story, more people will learn about pediatric cardiomyopathy, recognize the importance of heart health, and understand that this devastating disease can affect children of any age.
Casen may have only been here for six months, but his life continues to make a difference. His story is still being written through every family we help, every person we educate, and every step we take toward a future where fewer families have to experience this kind of loss.
For Casen. For his legacy. For the children and families still fighting. ❤️🩵
Pictures of Casen
Intorduction to the wubbanub.
1st bottle feeding
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Daddy's 1st time to hold him.
1st night at home
After g-button surgery.
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Momma's 1st time to hold him.
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