Meet Champion, Riley

At just eight weeks pregnant, Riley’s mom learned she had a subchorionic hemorrhage, a dangerous condition that threatened her unborn baby’s life. Despite heavy bleeding and repeated warnings to prepare for loss, she defied the odds, holding on week after week. At 22 weeks, her water broke, but she carried Riley until 29 weeks, when a placental abruption led to an emergency C-section. Born weighing 2 lbs 11 oz, Riley had collapsed lungs, the umbilical cord around his neck, and needed immediate resuscitation. Placed on a ventilator, an oscillator, and chest tubes, his oxygen levels stayed dangerously low. As a last option, doctors performed a blood transfusion and Riley began to improve. After three months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Riley went home healthy and strong. Today, he is thriving, a testament to his resilience and the unwavering commitment of his care team at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center.