Before Faith and her twin brother were born, their mom, Nicole, already knew one of her babies would need special care. At her ten-week appointment, she learned that one of them had Down syndrome—a diagnosis that can evoke uncertainty and fear for any parent. But for Nicole, there was peace. She chose not to find out which of her twins had the condition, focusing instead on embracing both babies with love.
Nicole’s pregnancy was already high-risk, and the diagnosis brought new challenges. Her doctor in Greeley recommended transferring her care to Presbyterian/St. Luke’s and Rocky Mountain Children’s in Denver, ensuring she and her babies had the specialized care they needed.
At just 35 weeks, Nicole went into labor. When Faith’s water broke but her twin brother’s did not, her doctor sent her straight to Denver. Things moved quickly—Nicole was rushed into an emergency C-section, and in an instant, her babies were here. Finally, she knew for certain: her daughter Faith had Down syndrome.
Many babies with Down syndrome are born with congenital heart conditions, and Faith was no exception. Doctors had prepared for the possibility of immediate surgery, and just days after birth, Faith underwent her first heart operation.
Her early days were spent in the NICU, and for the first several months of life, she was in and out of the hospital. At just seven months old, Faith needed a second heart surgery.
“It was scary,” Nicole shared. “It felt like we were at the top of a roller coaster—knowing you have to go, but not knowing what’s coming next.”
Faith spent ten days in the hospital after her second surgery. As the medical challenges piled up, so did the financial and emotional strain on her family. With a large family at home and the holidays approaching, Nicole worried about giving her children a Christmas together.
That’s when one of their hospital social workers connected them with Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation. Thanks to our generous donors and our friends at Jessie’s Heart Foundation, we were able to provide rental assistance, gas and grocery cards, and, through our special Hope for the Holidays program, even gifts for the entire family.
“It just took so much worry off of us,” Nicole said. “Our family grew so quickly, and just having that help—the groceries, the gifts—it meant so much.”
Now, at two years old, Faith is thriving. She’s happy, playful, and keeping up with her twin brother. Nicole remains deeply grateful for the support they received during their hardest moments.
“For us as a family, we are so thankful,” She said. “When the money and gift cards are gone, what remains is what was given to us in our hearts—the peace of mind and the kindness of others. Seeing my baby here is such a blessing.”
This February, we are highlighting children in our community who bravely face congenital heart conditions. Heart disease isn’t just an adult issue—many families, like Faith’s, navigate the challenges of pediatric cardiac conditions every day.
Because of our incredible community of donors, we can be there for them in their time of need. Nicole put it best:
“This kind of generosity is more than just giving money—it’s the love and care that go into it.”
