Infant’s illness spawns charity

Nine-month-old Cooper Keefer rests his head against his mother, Kristi, on Aug. 20, 2008, in their Lawrence home. Cooper already had undergone two open-heart surgeries to correct several heart problems including ventricular septal defect.

Any parent will tell you that children change your life.

Along with the joy there also can be difficult times. But the Keefer family never could have envisioned the struggles they would face with their son, Cooper.

Kristi Keefer was just four months pregnant when her son was diagnosed with multiple heart defects. Following his birth, he was transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital, where among many other procedures Cooper underwent full heart reconstruction.

“The first surgery was hard but the most recent was pretty bad for him; it was a very complicated surgery,” Kristi Keefer said.

Since moving home, the 9-month-old Cooper is growing, learning and teaching. His family – which also includes 3-year-old sister Raelynn – has learned to be flexible.

“You expect the unexpected with him; there’s been times when everything’s great and all of the sudden Cooper just starts being Cooper and he decides he wants to do something else,” said Terry Keefer, Cooper’s father.

Because the family’s medical bills have piled up, their close friends are hoping to help out with fundraisers. The idea has since evolved into much more than that.

“It didn’t take us long to realize that we can’t just keep all of this for us; this was such a good and positive thing to do that we decided we basically would pay it forward,” Kristi said.

That’s when the Cooper’s Cause foundation was born. With plans to hold 5K runs and golf tournaments, among other activities, the Keefers are hoping the foundation can annually help at least one other family who share similar struggles.

How to Help

Upcoming events to benefit the Cooper’s Cause foundation:

¢ Cooper’s Cause Night at Henry T’s, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Dinner and drink specials, and tips to benefit Cooper’s Cause.

¢ 5K and Fun Run, 8 a.m. Sept. 20, trail south of South Wind 12 movie theater, 3433 Iowa.

¢ Golf tournament, 8 a.m. Sept. 26, Eagle Bend Golf Course, 1250 E. 902 Road. For information, contact Tom Pollard, 842-9797.