This world is more grand because of you

NOVEMBER 2017:  To celebrate what would have been Gavin’s first birthday on November 8, 2017, a toy drive was held. 35 large boxes were filled to capacity and delivered by mom and dad on his first birthday to pediatric patients at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital in Connecticut.  Gavin was always gifted with toys during our stay in Boston so what better way to celebrate his life than to give back to those fighting every day just as our sweet boy did. A very heartwarming experience on a very difficult day.

APRIL 2019: Built by strength and bravery, Gavin was born a force that would take on this world.  A world with odds built against him, yet he persevered through hurdles that medical professionals didn’t expect him to. We have learned so much from Gavin, especially to be strong, to be brave and to be resilient. Lead by Lissette, 26 supporters from TEAM GAVIN pushed the limits and tested their inner strength and personal fears by participating in a “WORKOUT-FOR-A-CAUSE” event hosted by Heidi and her team from Orangetheory Fitness in Milford, Connecticut raising a whopping $1,040 towards CDH research!

OCTOBER 2020: The year 2020 proved itself to be filled with life obstacles due to the pandemic of COVID-19.  However, Gavin is a force to be reckoned with, and so are his army of supporters.  Holding true to Gavin’s “can’t stop, won’t stop” legacy, a virtual crew came together (from near and super far!) through Gavin’s FIGHT CDH 5k, Virtual Edition (2020).  With 55 registrants and 28 donations, a grand total of $2,729.94 and a whole lotta Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) awareness was raised!

NOVEMBER 2020: Even though 2020 was a contactless year for events, that did not prevent the disbursement of Gavin’s love.  Representing Gavin’s birthday on 11/8/16, a monetary donation of $1,108.16 was made to the Toy Closet program at Yale New Haven Children‘s hospital in Connecticut.  In addition, a $5,000 donation was made to the DHREAMS CDH research project at

Columbia University in New York.  Lastly, and close to our hearts, Gavin’s Gifts were spread to families currently fighting CDH by way of VISA gift cards and Stop and Shop gift card donations, both for those hospitalized and the pantry at the housing facility our family stayed at in Boston, Massachusetts.  Keep spreading that sunshine, sweet boy.

JULY 2021: The year 2021 may have forced the world to continue to navigate through living in a pandemic, but in true Gavin fashion, his team is a force that will not stop fighting for him.  This pandemic living is tough… but Gavin’s team is much tougher! Creating a safe space to join in on the fun, Gavin’s annual event was a virtual fundraising game, “FIGHT CDH 5-Draw”, where FIVE gifts were raffled off online and some seriously lucky people won some seriously fabulous prizes.  We are so thankful to those near and far that participated and proved to be VIRTUALLY UNSTOPPABLE, raising $1,675 towards CDH research and awareness!

NOVEMBER 2021: In honor of Gavin’s FIFTH birthday, the number “5” played a significant part in distributing “Gavin’s Gifts”.  With TEAM GAVIN’S continuous support through his annual events and through many generous donations received throughout the year, a $5,000.00 donation was made to the DHREAMS CDH research project at

Columbia University in New York.  Next up, and in addition to toy donations from mom and dad, a $1,108.16 check (representing Gavin’s birthdate, 11/08/16) was delivered to the Toy Closet program at Yale New Haven Children‘s hospital in Connecticut. To further the appreciation our family has for the housing facilities that offer parents and families a comfortable stay near the hospital while seeking care for their children,  $500.00 in Stop & Shop and Target gift cards was gifted to the Yawkey Family Inn of Massachusetts to help fill their pantry and $500.00 in items from Costco to fill their pantry as well as Target and Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards were gifted to the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut. Lastly, a special envelope filled with a total of $500.00 in VISA gift cards was shipped to Gavin’s birthplace in Massachusetts for those currently fighting Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) at BCH.

With Gavin turning FIVE, it was important that we celebrated that number ☀️

With 39 participates in attendance, 112 toy donations and monetary gifts, a total of $2,727.00 was raised!

Our family will never be able to have a traditional birthday party or hit school milestones with our boy, but Gavin will ALWAYS be celebrated. That’s what these events are all about. A day of celebrating the life of our warrior with his army so a BIG thank you to those that continue to support Gavin’s legacy.

NOVEMBER 2023: It’s not just about raising monetary donations, a big part of our determination for Gavin is to raise Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) awareness. Through many public events, Gavin’s apparel has been recognized. It brings up questions from strangers who feel compelled to ask, largely in part by 5k’s, marathons, etc… and we know our angel above is watching. It’s incredible luck to be given a race bib with #118 once (“118 represents Gavin’s birthday of 11/8 and his call to heaven on 1/18), but when you are given that same race bib number (at random) TWICE, well… that’s what we call the power of Gavin. “118” will always hold a special place in our hearts.

NOVEMBER 2023: Year SEVEN without our sweet Gavin yet it seems like yesterday that we saw his sweet face for the first time. Gavin’s 10 week battle with CDH taught us so much. Our memories of his fight are reminders of why we do what we do through the Gavin Connery Foundation. Funds raised through his events and toy donations are distributed in honor of Gavin on his birthday, every November 8th. Representing Gavin’s birthday on 11/8/16, a monetary donation of $1,108.16 was made to the Toy Closet program at Yale New Haven Children‘s hospital in Connecticut (plus  toy donations). Just across the road, we stopped by the Ronald McDonald House and gifted the families with boxes of pantry items and gift cards, all totaling $500. In addition, a $5,000 donation was made to the DHREAMS CDH research project at Boston Children’s Hospital in Massachusetts. Lastly, and close to our hearts, Gavin’s Gifts were spread to families currently fighting CDH by way of VISA gift cards and Stop and Shop gift card donations, both for those hospitalized and the pantry at the housing facility our family stayed at in Boston, Massachusetts. These disbursements have become a beautiful tradition on his birthday, turning a hard day into a heartfelt one as we deliver each gift to the recipients.