Loving husband, father of twins, and business owner, Casey Illian finds a unique way to use a family tradition to spread hope and deliver on a promise made 10 years earlier.

Hastings College Alumni Kitty Burton and Casey Illian had no idea their paths would continue to cross after meeting for coffee just over 10 years ago. At that time, Kitty disclosed that her youngest son was born with complex Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Kitty shared how this experience ignited a passion for supporting families faced with this lifelong disease that has no cure, no known cause, and affects 1 in 100 children. Kitty used this passion to cofound, Heart Heroes, Inc. with a mission to provide support and awareness for families fighting this harrowing diagnosis. A new father of twins, Casey knew he was not in a place to be able to provide any support. As they parted ways that early afternoon, Casey said, “Someday I will be able to help.”

April 2, 2021, Kitty’s computer had a pop-up notice that a new donation had come in. As Kitty looked at the donation amount she was eager to see who the generous person was behind this gift. Casey Illian AKA “Baseball” the name Kitty nicknamed him all these years prior. Kitty immediately picked up the phone and dialed the number on the transaction. “Baseball! What the heck are you doing?!” Kitty shouted. Casey followed up with a chuckle and said “Soccer” how are you? (the nickname Casey had given Kitty back in college). Casey said I’m not sure if you remember but exactly 10 years ago, I made a promise to you and I want you to know I always keep my promises. Casey explained that while he’s still not sure what CHD is, he knows it’s something with the heart and he believes in Kitty.

One month later, Casey upholds his weekly family tradition of “Donut Friday” with his kids and dog, Hannah in tow. While in the drive-thru of Krispy Kreme Casey notices the car in front of him has a bumper sticker for Kimball, SD. Casey has fond memories of a man who ran a guide service there. Casey asks what brings this family to Omaha and the family shares that their 11-month-old daughter is having surgery that morning. “I remember sitting there and slowly hearing my son’s voice come into view or fade into…He said daddy are you ok?  I told him yeah. Buddy – we’re are going to do something for these people today, I don’t know what, but we are going to do something for these people today.”

“As we pulled away, I couldn’t wait to call my friend Kitty”.

Heart Heroes uses the tagline, more than just a cape and this proves true. Kitty was able to provide support to this family with a “Tote of Hope” and a Heart Hero Cape but went out of her way to honor a donor’s tradition and connect him with this family. Kitty made a call to a small donut shop called Micro Doughnuts in Brookings, South Dakota where the CHD family is from, and arranged for this family to receive a dozen doughnuts for an entire year so this family can create their own “Donut Friday” tradition.

Donut Friday just got a lot more important. 

Casey Illian, Heart Heroes, and the owners of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Center Street have partnered to declare the last Friday of CHD Awareness Month as #DonutFriday. Tomorrow individual bagged doughnuts will be provided to the entire Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Heart Center including patients, families, and caregivers. 

A fulfilled promise, a family’s “Donut Friday” tradition, and a heartfelt Krispy Kreme owner will continue to spread hope (with a sprinkle of CHD Awareness) each Friday all year long by randomly dropping off dozens of doughnuts in the community each week.  

And they will be singing the Illian Family Donut Friday Song: