Mayor Don Warren talked about how Children's Miracle Network Miracle Child has participated in the lighting of the City of Tyler Christmas tree since 1987. This year's lighting will be on Nov. 30.

Four-year-old River Hardy bounced up and down as mom Kyla Hardy held her son. River’s father Kaleb Hardy and grandparents surrounded him with excitement as they waited for a big announcement Tuesday at the Goodman-LeGrand House in Tyler.

Filled with infectious energy, River was announced as the 2024 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Child. Waving and saying ‘hi’ to Tyler Mayor Don Warren, officials from Christus Health and CMN, and media, River got a head start of being in front of an audience.

River will begin his role as the CMN Miracle Child with the honor of lighting the City of Tyler’s Christmas tree alongside Warren. The tree lighting, originally scheduled for Nov. 30, will have a new date which has not yet been announced as of Nov. 27.  A Miracle Child has lit the city tree every year since 1987.

Parents Kaleb and Kyla Hardy say their son truly is a miracle.

River was born prematurely at 34 weeks gestation and weighed just 3 pounds. Kyla and Kaleb spent weeks with their baby at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, until he was discharged — just in time for Christmas.

“He is a miracle, and he’s very vocal and he’s outgoing, which is amazing to us,” Kyla said. I think that he will hopefully be a great advocate for raising money for the children.”

When River was 1, his parents realized he was not hitting the normal developmental milestones. They took him to Christus CARES Clinic for children with special healthcare needs, where they found he had Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). This brain injury is common in premature babies, and the brain is damaged during, before or after birth. River was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, according to Christina Mosier, Program Manager at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“River has already overcome so many things,” Kyla said. “He’s so joyous, even when he’s having hard days and hard times.”

River does occupational therapy twice a week. His pediatrician Dr. David Osteen, who works at Christus Trinity Mother Frances, has provided care for him for the last two years. Osteen was able to connect the family with resources, such as occupational and physical therapy. The Children’s Miracle Network funds the CARES Clinic and provided funding for two NICU nurses, Osteen said.

The care River received is funded by the Children’s Miracle Network. Christus Trinity Mother Frances is part of the CMN. All the equipment used in the NICU at Mother Frances came from Children’s Miracle Network, Kyla said.

“When we were given the opportunity to help raise money, we jumped at the chance because it’s all very important,” Kyla said. “We want people in the future to benefit like we did.”

Christmas is special to the Hardy family, and Kaleb and Kyla are excited to see River light up the tree on Nov. 30. Warren, who will stand next to River and help him flip the ceremonial switch, spoke to River to explain what he will be doing that night.

Kyla held River’s arms as he walked to look at a Christmas tree set up at the Goodman-LeGrand House. River loves the decorations and lights on the Hardy family’s Christmas tree in their home, his mom said.

“He loves to be around everybody,” Kyla said. “He loves the time we all spend together because we are all together at that time.”

To help children like River, you can support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by making a donation at donate.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org. One hundred percent of the funds raised locally for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals stay at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System to provide life-saving pediatric equipment and medical services to children in the East Texas area.

To learn more about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals programs and giving opportunities, call (903) 606-5437.