Heart and VascularMay 25, 2021
Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis announces local 2021 champion
Patient Casey Dyke supports CMN’s fundraising campaign at Costco, other corporate partners
(SACRAMENTO)
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Each year, Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals across the U.S. and Canada identify a “champion” in their local community to represent kids treated at their children's hospital. This year, Casey Dyke of Roseville has been named CMN champion for UC Davis Children’s Hospital through 2021.
Dyke was in utero when doctors told his parents a crucial heart valve was missing. Just days after birth, he had his first heart surgery. By the time Dyke was 4 years old, he had four complex heart surgeries. His parents estimate that he spent a year in the Pediatric Cardiac and Intensive Care Unit (PCICU).
Now 16, Dyke has been able to live a regular life with the help of CMN donors, his UC Davis Children’s Hospital care team and his parents, Michael and Gina, who are proud their son is the 2021 champion.
"It's amazing that a boy born with the odds against him can go on to have such a normal life,” said Gina Dyke, Casey’s mother. “I'm extremely grateful for what UC Davis has done for him.”
Casey Dyke had four heart surgeries by the age of 4.
The family has spent years advocating for the charitable needs of sick and injured children in UC Davis Children’s Hospital’s 33-county service area. Now, their son can tell his own story.
“We are so excited to have Casey as our champion,” said Michelle Tafoya, program director of Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis. “The Dykes have been dedicated to saving and improving children’s lives since Casey was a toddler. Now, by sharing his own experience, Casey can continue that legacy of giving back by inspiring people to support sick and injured kids just like him.”
The CMN Costco campaign runs through May 31.
UC Davis Children's Hospital is the Sacramento region's only nationally ranked, comprehensive hospital providing care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults with primary, subspecialty and critical care. It includes the Central Valley's only pediatric emergency department and level I pediatric trauma center, which offers the highest level of care for its critically ill patients, as well as a level I children’s surgery center. The 129-bed children's hospital includes the state-of-the-art 49-bed neonatal and 24-bed pediatric intensive care and pediatric cardiac intensive care units. For more information, visit children.ucdavis.edu.
