The Tritsch Family: Personal Experience Inspires Gift
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| Nikki and Todd Tritsch were inspired to give to Cincinnati Children's in gratitude for their daughter Olivia's care. Their family's foundation purchased a surgical microscope for the brain suite. Above, Olivia, now 2, plays with her grandmother, Mary Jane. |
As Nikki and Todd Tritsch think back, it all seems so surreal. One day things were great. They had a comfortable home, loving friends and family and, most importantly, three healthy children.
"We lived in a bubble, and I liked it that way," Nikki recalls.
Then, the bubble burst.
In September 2006, their 8-month-old daughter Olivia had a seizure. After being rushed to the Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Olivia was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The large mass, though not cancerous, was causing fluid to build up on her brain. The fluid had to be drained and the tumor removed or the consequences could be dire.
"There is no way to minimize the seriousness of brain surgery. Our doctor was upfront about possible complications. It was hard to be positive," Todd says.
Olivia underwent surgery to drain the fluid, and then she had another operation to remove the tumor. Her parents were amazed that within two weeks of having the tumor removed, Olivia was back home, crawling around and playing.
"We know that 10 years ago Olivia's surgery may not have turned out this way. The work of the doctors and surgeons at Cincinnati Children's and the incredible strides they've made in neurosurgery made her recovery possible," Todd says.
Nikki, Todd and their entire family were deeply affected by Olivia's experience and wanted to help Cincinnati Children's save the lives of other children like Olivia.
Through the family's charitable foundation, a generous gift was granted to purchase a neurosurgical microscope for the brain suite at Cincinnati Children's – the most technologically advanced pediatric neurosurgical operating suite in the world.
"While we were at Cincinnati Children's, we met other families in similar situations – and some much worse. Sometimes there was sadness and tragedy, but because of the caring staff at the medical center, there was also hope and love," Todd recalls.
"If our family's gift helps give just one family an outcome like ours, it's well worth it," he says.
