Leo Galvez: 2025 Riley Champion
“We know Leo has a purpose: either to change us or change people around him.”
That statement from Cinthia Galvez underscores the joy and love with which she and her husband Luis are raising their 2-year-old son, Leo. The Noblesville family inspires friends, family, and even strangers who follow Leo’s journey on TikTok at @bravelittleleo. “We are happy,” says Cinthia. “We enjoy him. We take him out everywhere, walks, restaurants, the zoo — that’s been a great thing for us. We do everything we can in our hands for him to reach his full potential.”
Leo has complex medical needs due to two rare genetic syndromes, Beckwith-Weidemann syndrome and 1p36 deletion syndrome. After a 20-week ultrasound revealed abnormalities, Leo’s family chose to seek care at Riley Children’s Health so their son would have access to all the pediatric specialists he needed in one place. “We knew he had abnormal kidneys and two genetic conditions, we knew he might have holes in his heart, but we never thought he might have airway issues,” said Luis. As soon as Leo was born, the right team was in place to get his breathing stabilized. “He was immediately transferred to the NICU, where he had amazing care, amazing nurses,” said Luis.
The family formed a special bond with several nurses, including Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse Kaity Wood. “Through every hard day or conversation there was always joy in his room and a reason to celebrate with Leo and his parents,” said Kaity. “Luis and Cinthia really embraced the Riley staff as family and so it was always so fun to celebrate these special moments with them, from the first time he got to wear an outfit, to conquering another procedure, or getting moved into a big boy crib.”
Leo spent his first five months at Riley, receiving care and surgeries from a long list of specialists including pulmonology, genetics, gastroenterology and cardiology. During his final month he transitioned to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Luis and Cinthia were trained to manage Leo’s ventilator and tracheostomy. Leo returned to Riley for multiple surgeries, including his second heart surgery with Jeremy Herrmann, M.D.
“Even when the situation is complex, Riley has all the tools to help with every step of that process,” said Dr. Herrmann, who credits the anesthesia team with expertly managing Leo’s complex airway during surgery. “I hope other people will look to Leo’s family as an example of how complex care can be delivered with a focus on not only the patient but the patient’s family.”
Today, the Galvez family proudly sports Riley license plates, attends Riley fundraising events such as the NICU Superhero Walk, and shares Leo’s story to spread awareness and encouragement. As Wood says, “The Galvez family story is one of many unexpected challenges, but so much hope for
the future.”
One of those unexpected challenges occurred recently in October when Leo was diagnosed with Wilms tumor and started chemotherapy. Luis shares this message with other families of children with complex medical needs: “You’re not alone in this journey. You have a community that backs you with great doctors and great nurses.” Cinthia adds, “We have a special love for Riley because they were able to save Leo’s life. Riley fixed little Leo’s heart and they have made everything possible for him.”