Death of a Newborn Son Spawns a Monrovia Father’s Fight for Life

Monrovia resident Billy Becerra. – Courtesy photo / Elisha Becerra

Sept.16 Billy Becerra will participate in Nautica Malibu Triathlon in his Late Son’s Honor to help raise funds for research into Aortic Stenosis and a Hyporplastic Aortic Arch

Monrovia residents Billy Becerra and his wife welcomed a baby boy by the name of Rex earlier this year at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Upon arrival, little Rex was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis and a Hyperplastic Aortic Arch, meaning blood flowed to his heart but could not exit the heart to maintain its flow and eventually his heart became swollen, in which he had to undergo an extremely complicated open heart surgery.

Although Rex was fighting for his life and one day opened his eyes as bright as ever, his heart was too weak and had to be operated on CHLA’s most medically advanced life support machine until a couple of days later his kidneys failed and his organs slowly stopped working.

On April 4, 2017, Billy held his only son as he watched his body completely come to a stop.

Billy has had a rough couple of months since April, but he has gained motivation and strength from his son to train and participate in a triathlon.

He decided that he had to participate in this year’s triathlon to give back to the nurses and doctors who tirelessly put their all into his son’s life as well as the lives of other children. He shares his story for parents and families in this rough situation to know that they are not alone and they too can get through it. He supports CHLA by raising money along with his family in Rex’s name, in which they have raised $76,945. He is also always representing the hospital even when he is sky high.

Billy will be participating in the International Distance Race, Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Sept. 16. The International Distance Race is a 1 mile swim, 25-mile bike, 6 mile run. Nautica Malibu Triathlon supports the cancer research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

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