Why I ride

I enjoy riding my bicycle and helping Children's Hospital help children like Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a rare condition of a combination of four heart defects present at birth. Kaitlyn had her first open heart surgery at 7 months to repair the ventricular septal defect, widen her Pulmonary valve and put a patch on her left pulmonary artery. Her family soon realized that her heart condition would never define her.

When she was 8 she had her second open heart surgery to replace her pulmonary valve. The surgery was successful and she grew a whole foot in 2 years, making her the tallest in her class. Her love for dance only grew and when Kaitlyn turned 13 she became part of her studio's performing group. Later that year, she had a stent placed in her left pulmonary artery. She began to play softball for her high school in sophomore year, and quickly realized that something was going on with her heart. After multiple preliminary tests, it was soon discovered that Kaitlyn was in need of an ICD pacemaker at the age of 16. This surgery did not slow her down whatsoever, she returned to school and dance the following Monday. Kaitlyn is now heading into her senior year and is not letting her heart condition get in the way of her dreams.

I ride with many of the dedicated nurses and doctors that help the cardiac patients at Children's Hospital.  Please make a donation to Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation to help the children.  You may contribute through the webpage by selecting the green "Donate" button above and to the right.  If you prefer you may send a check to:

Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation, Attn:Courage Classic, P.O. Box 5003, Denver, CO 80217-5003.  Please indicate rider number 1544 on the check, it is my rider number.

Thank you, Dick Karlson