Wichita's Littlest Heroes was founded in March 2014 a few months after Brianna Coffey-Baskervilles's son, Tristan, had been diagnosed with a very rare and life threatening auto immune disease. Tristan was a typical kid until he stopped walking and eating at age 4, and since his diagnosis they were spending 3 days a week getting treatments at the hospital. Because it was so rare, there was no one to turn to or relate to, and Bri began searching for anything in the area where her family could find some support. There are a lot of great organizations in the Wichita community, but she found none geared strictly towards sick children with a life threatening diagnosis.

 

During one particular treatment they could hear a cry coming from the other end of the hall. Tristan quickly colored a picture and took it down to cheer up the unhappy boy. The connection between Tristan and Eagan was immediate, and the same for the moms. Before long Tristan and Eagan were inseparable at the hospital and more often than not you would find them together playing video games in a hospital bed. One night after a particularly hard treatment Brianna said "God spoke to me and gave me the vision for Wichita's Littlest Heroes."  Over time she began to find other families in similar situations. They all quickly became friends, and the kids loved having someone else to relate to, even if the children's diagnoses were different.  No matter what the diagnosis, fighting a life threatening medical battle is hard.  Parents and kids are forming relationships and bonds and are able to meet/relate with one another.