Nora Benjamin's Story

06/04/2026

💜 Good Morning Everyone 💜, with hearts full of joy and gratitude, we celebrate a monumental milestone! After four months of tireless efforts, countless moments of dedication, and unwavering passion, our annual donations to OU Children's Heart Transplant Center have finally come to fruition, all in honor of our beloved Nora Leigh! Though we've been a few days behind in sharing our journey, every moment has been worth it, especially seeing the smiles of our dear friends at the hospital on Tuesday when we delivered the fruits of our labor. It's been an immensely long week, but the joy of giving has made it truly worthwhile. For six incredible years, three remarkable ladies have stood by us through thick and thin, witnessing the strength, courage, and laughter of our dear Nora Leigh. Their journey with us is a testament to the power of love and friendship. Knowing that a piece of Nora lives on in the hearts of many brings us immense joy. We've been blessed to provide essential support to brave patients and families, and our hearts go out to each one. Thank you for your kindness, love, and generosity; your selflessness inspires us all, and we're eternally grateful. We can’t wait for 2027! 💜🎁🏥

05/30/2026

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Let's all celebrate May's Kid with Heart — Damien!

After suffering with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue, Damien’s care team discovered he had dilated cardiomyopathy with decreased heart function.

This incredible 12-year-old showed remarkable strength during a month in the PICU, where he was cared for by our Heart Failure & Heart Transplant team. In April, Damien received a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD), placed by Oklahoma Children’s OU Health pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr. Harold Burkhart and Dr. Neil Venardos.

After two months in the hospital, Damien is now listed for a heart transplant — and heading home in the meantime. 💪❤️

His perseverance and positive attitude continue to inspire everyone who meets him. We’re cheering you on, Damien!

05/30/2026

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05/30/2026

Oh, my heart burst with so much joy when I see all 3 of my girls together! 🥹

05/30/2026

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05/30/2026

This was our last time in the hospital… This was 24 days after coding, post heart cath… She had been on life support for a week and a form of dialysis up until this point! This is the perfect example of how she was just so incredibly strong willed and determined! We were so incredibly proud of her and she was so humble over the whole process 🥰 silly girl! It’s the smirk for me 😏! I miss that smirk soooo much!

05/30/2026

What a moment… What a memory this was… Her first time walking in probably close to 4 weeks and I can recall it like it was yesterday… She walked so far for her little body carrying two Berlin hearts… She didn’t cry or fuss or fall when she got tired, she just leaned into her me and said “I’m tired mommy, I want to go back”… I remember leaning lightly into her and whispering to her, telling her how amazing she was and how I was so incredibly proud of her! What we wouldn’t give to hear her, feel her and hold her again… We miss you so much Nora Leigh, there are no words to describe just how much…💜

05/26/2026

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Memorial Day and long weekend! We’ve been hard at work here getting everything wrapped up and ready for drop off next week and I am very excited to say I was able to get everything organized and bags put together today!

The only things left to do are finish putting together the medical binders to will go inside the bags and wash all the bedding so it can be used ASAP!

This has been another amazing year thanks to all of you! I seriously can’t say thank you enough! To everyone who purchased, participated, shared, raffled… THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!

Sincerely,
The Benjamins 💜

06/03/2025

Today was the BIG DAY! We finally got to deliver all the goodies to the hospital! It’s the perfect way to honor our sweet Nora! She was so loving, giving, so so NURTURING, compassionate, sweet and kind! She had the BIGGEST heart of any child I’ve ever known! So giving to the patients and their families each year not only honors her precious memory, but it also brings us much comfort!

I knew we out did ourselves this year, I knew we were able to provide so much more, BUT I did not realize how much more we were able to donate this year until looked at the photo from last year side by side with this years…

I mean WOW! I don’t know if you all realize that we could not possibly do this without you guys! I mean every single person who contributed, I’m just so thankful! Thank you to those that made it possible to add gowns this year! Thank you to those who helped me put logos on everything (which by the way multiple people loved and were even interested in having their own cup or blanket)!

I’m so overwhelmed, this has been a tough couple of weeks, but to finally see the outcome of what we’ve been working on for months is beautiful. I’m lost trying to find the words to truly express how grateful we are, but I can’t seem to find them!

So again, thank you everyone for continuing to support us and her memory! Thank you for always sending your love, thoughts and prayers!

Thank you! 🥹💜👼 🏥

(1st photo is last years)