Today was such a good day.

Today was Jacob’s victory lap.

Back in 2023, when the word “transplant” entered our lives, it completely turned our world upside down. But through all the hard days since, Jake held onto a very specific goal. He was going to walk back through the Peoria office, on the other side of transplant, just to see Dr. H, Kris, Jared, Valerie and the team.

Through everything, Jake never lost sight of that finish line. And today, he finally got to cross it. It was a celebration and a tribute to the team who stood by us and helped carry Jake through it all. A reminder of just how blessed we are to have them.

To Dr. H and the entire OSF pediatric cardiology team: thank you for being such a vital and inspiring part of Jake’s story from the very beginning. Watching Jake take that lap today is something we will never forget and a moment that healed each of us in a profound way!