Meet this adorable nugget of courage, Oliver August Paul Celusta. He was born to Orion and Britt Celusta on Friday October the 13th 2023 at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. Before we get to Oliver’s story, here is a little about what this family has been through. 

 On March 23, 2022, Britt Celusta and her husband Orion Celusta welcomed a little girl. The first for them, and a little sister for Jude and Ellie (from a previous marriage) and she was perfect. Her name was Jordan Blaer Celusta. At 3 weeks old, Jordan passed away suddenly. The coroner’s report said it was her heart. This loss was so profound and devastating for Britt and Orion, grandparents’ siblings and family there really are still no ways to accurately describe it. Not a day goes by that she is not missed, not a holiday or birthday can pass without her in our thoughts and heart. Missing her is simply a part of our lives. 

After that tragedy, they were able to conceive another baby.  During the pregnancy, the doctor’s monitored him closely, and everything was going fine, but on October 10, 2023, just three days after their baby shower, the doctor’s noticed that his heart was not normal. They sent Britt and Orion immediately to St. Luke’s downtown Pediatric Cardiology where after a scan, said that the baby was in trouble. His heart was larger on one side, and one of his arteries was narrower than it should be.

Britt and Orion were told that they needed to get to a hospital in a bigger city with pediatric cardiology surgeons. On October 13, 2023, Oliver August Paul was delivered at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Weighing only 5.3 lbs, he was a tiny one. Immediately he was whisked away and a breathing tube was placed. We have yet to hear this little one cry, as he has been sedated and a breathing and feeding tube placed. Oliver has a condition called “Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome”. He is in the Primary Children’s Hospital attached to the big hospital there and is stable. On October 20, 2023 this beautiful baby had a seven hour open heart surgery. This is one of three surgeries he may need to undergo within his first 3 years of life. 

We need to find help for this family, Britt, Orion, their children, Jude, Ellie, and their new brother Oliver. We don’t know if he will survive, but we are hoping. Britt and Orion are really amazing parents. They are there for each other. They are each other’s cheerleader and always cheering, loving and being steady for the kids. Britt is a child care worker for St. Lukes downtown hospital, and Orion works for Terry Reilley.

 Britt and Orion’s family are reaching out for community support and to help these amazing parents, so they do not lose another child to this devastating defect. Funds will go to living expenses and medical expenses not covered by insurance.