Inspired by Kaia's Journey
Kaia has already faced challenges most of us could never imagine.
Born a healthy baby, Kaia's life changed when she developed a severe heart condition that left her critically ill before her first birthday. At nine months old, she was admitted to intensive care, where doctors diagnosed her with severe cardiomyopathy, a disease that weakened the left side of her heart and left her fighting for her life.
For more than a month, Kaia remained unconscious in the ICU while a dedicated team of healthcare professionals worked tirelessly to save her. As her condition worsened, several of her organs began to fail, and she required ECMO, a life-support system that temporarily took over the work of her heart and lungs.
Today, Kaia is alive because of extraordinary advances in cardiac care, lifesaving technology, and the highly skilled teams who support patients with complex heart conditions.
She was supported by a Berlin Heart, a mechanical device that helps keep her heart pumping while she awaited a heart transplant, which she has since received and is happily in recovery at home!
Kaia's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that world-class cardiac care can have on patients and families facing unimaginable circumstances. Inspired by her journey, this fundraiser will support the cardiac care and research at the University Hospital Foundation, helping advance groundbreaking heart care, innovative treatments, leading-edge technology, and life-saving research for patients across Alberta.
By supporting this event, you are helping ensure that families facing their own cardiac journeys have access to the care, expertise, and hope they need when it matters most.
Together, with Optical City and your support, we can help create more stories of survival, resilience, and healing.
