For the Keefer family, it’s all about paying it forward.

Terry and Kristi Keefer’s son, Cooper, was born two years ago with multiple heart defects. Cooper’s health problems have taken a toll on the family, emotionally and financially. As the family worked its way through the challenges, they couldn’t help but think they weren’t alone.

So they created a nonprofit organization: Cooper’s Cause. Through word-of-mouth and several generous donors, Cooper’s Cause has turned into a Lawrence success.

“We’ll probably be looking at around $20,000 the first time this year,” Kristi Keefer said. “We are helping families that do have health insurance but just have all of the extra burden, so $20,000 will go a long ways to relieve some of the initial burden for people.”

The Keefer family and their friends hope the charity blossoms.

“As we get more families that we may not know about and then their group of friends and family start rallying around and helping and then maybe we can recruit some more people to do more things,” Terry Keefer said.

Cooper’s Cause annual 5K run and 1-mile walk is set for Saturday on the walking trail south of Southwind 12 Theatres.

As for Cooper, he’s doing better than expected. A surgery that was scheduled for this month has been postponed until April because of his progress. But challenges remain.

“He’s doing great. He’s been very stable, still doesn’t eat (on his own), so we are working on some of those issues, but he’s doing wonderful,” Kristi Keefer said.

For more information about Cooper’s cause and this weekend’s event, visit www.cooperscause.com.