Young liver transplant recipient embraces charity & joy
Beckett Culp, a student at Hamilton Heights Little Huskies Learning Center in Arcadia, has been named a 2024 Riley Champion!
Culp, who is also a patient at Riley Children’s Hospital, was selected for his optimism and ongoing charitable work. A special celebration to recognize this honor and celebrate Culp took place at the preschool.
As a baby, Culp was diagnosed with a protein deficiency that affected his liver. By the age of three, he needed a liver transplant. Just three months later he underwent surgery at Riley Children’s Hospital to receive his new liver.
Culp’s donor was Hunter Tuzinski who died at age 7. It was both boys’ love of Hot Wheels that sparked the idea to host a drive for these timeless toys. The Culp and Tuzinski families worked together to collect thousands of Hot Wheels for Riley and the hospital that treated Hunter.
Hunter Owen Tuzinski, who died at age 7, helped give young Beckett Culp the gift of life as an organ donor. (Photo illustration provided)
Culp has continued the effort in which his classmates recently collected over 250 Hot Wheels for the Child Life Department at Riley in Hunter’s honor.
Those deemed “Riley Champions” are part of a Kroger-sponsored program that honors patients from Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health who have inspired communities with their bravery and commitment to help others despite overcoming medical challenges.
Beckett Culp, 5, a student at the Little Huskies Learning Center, is pictured dancing with classmates and Sara Cox, Little Huskies Learning Center Director, celebrating his being named a 2024 Riley Champions. (Photo provided)
In this role, Culp and his family serve as ambassadors for Riley as they share their personal Riley story of hope and inspiration with donors and other Riley families.
“Beckett is the absolute best!” said Sara Cox, Director of the Little Huskies Learning Center at Hamilton Heights School Corporation. “His spirit and excitement toward just about everything can turn any mundane February day around in an instant. A hug, a compliment, a silly story, and a sincere ‘I love you’ are always at an arm’s reach with Beckett nearby. He has an innate ability to bring a load of joy wherever he is! Preschool can be … a lot sometimes, but Beckett can always bring out the smiles even on the tougher days! I’ll be sad to see him graduate to kindergarten, and yet so happy the rest of the world will get to experience Beckett!”