Stacie Fox and her family will join hundreds in support of research at the Pediatric Critical Care Walk on June 28.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
Stacie Fox still remembers the grief she felt when the baby she was carrying was diagnosed with heart defects during her 20-week pregnancy scan.
“I went into a state of mourning just because I knew my pregnancy and delivery from there on out wasn’t going to be what I had imagined,” the Fortville mother said. “You just don’t know what’s going to happen when they say your child’s heart hasn’t developed right.”
That sorrow has been replaced by joy as Stacie and Ryan Fox prepare to celebrate their son’s second birthday next month.
Turns out little Hendrix Fox is everything they dreamed of. Happy, healthy and full of love.
That is due in no small part, the couple believes, to the care mother and son received before and after birth at Riley Hospital for Children.
“Everybody at Riley was so supportive, from the time we had our first visit there. We met with the team of specialists, we took a big tour, I got to see the CVICU and the NICU, and everybody was so willing to answer our questions and walk us through it and make sure we felt comfortable and gave us the knowledge to process everything before it happened,” Stacie said.
“You’re never really prepared for it, but Riley did the absolute best job they could at preparing us for our baby being born with a heart condition.”
That’s why the young family will join hundreds of others for the 10th annual Riley Pediatric Critical Care Walkathon directly across from the Downtown Indianapolis hospital on June 28.
This is the second year they are participating in the superhero-themed fundraiser. Last year, they attended shortly after their son’s second heart surgery performed by Dr. Mark Turrentine to correct a double outlet right ventricle, a rare and serious defect.
They have joined the Dr. T fan club, even framing a photo taken of the heart surgeon with Hendrix at the hospital.
“He is just something else. There are no words to describe that man,” Stacie said. “He is absolutely wonderful. And his whole team is, too. We’re just so grateful.”
Hendrix, who came into the world at 34 weeks, stayed in the NICU for a month, before going home for the first time. He had his first heart surgery (a pulmonary artery banding) at 3 months, then a full repair at 10 months.
He spent two weeks in the CVICU after his first surgery and 11 days after the second, his mom said. The expectation is that he will not require further heart surgery, according to cardiologist Dr. Timothy Cordes.
Despite the rocky start, Hendrix seems none the worse for wear.
“He’s walking and running, he loves to dance and eat, he’s full of joy,” Stacie said. “He’s the happiest boy ever.”
The couple’s experience with Riley inspired Stacie to become a volunteer for the hospital.
“Our whole family is so grateful for everyone at Riley and all the care we’ve had since before Hendrix was born,” she said. “I decided I wanted to volunteer at the hospital, so I went through the onboarding and started volunteering in early 2024 at the Ronald McDonald House.
“I knew I wanted to be part of the bigger picture. I spent so much time at the hospital, and I already felt like part of the Riley family, but I wanted to do more. I truly love volunteering and being able to give back and talk to families that have been in the same situation that our family has.”
The couple are expecting another baby, a little girl, next month.
The Pediatric Critical Care Walkathon will feature Rex the dinosaur from The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, a bike helmet giveaway from Momentum Indy, Rowdie from the Indianapolis Indians, face-painting, games and the always popular Dunk a Doctor splash tank.
Register for the event here. Onsite registration opens at 8 a.m. the day of the event in the lobby of Simon Family Tower. A welcome and remembrance ceremony starts at 9:15 a.m., and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
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