Eddie shared a love of the Buffalo Bills with his dad, Nick. During his short life, Buffalo Bills fans from around the followed Eddie's journey - both the good and the bad days - battling a complex congenital heart defect (CHD) and chronic lung disease. Even when faced with the scariest and most difficult situations, Eddie was armed with an infectious smile and a warrior’s attitude.

Eddie was born with two heart valve defects and essentially no pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs to deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. He underwent nine heart surgeries, and he and his family spent the better part of his life in the hospital. Eddie’s story touch so many people’s lives thanks to Twitter and the efforts of Bills fans Marc Johnson and Anthony Trifilo (founder of “Pancho’s Army” philanthropic group). Johnson and Trifilo decided they simply wanted to help Nick and his son. They created Eddie’s Infantry as a branch of “Pancho’s Army,” naming Eddie as commander of the Infantry.

The Bills showed an outpouring of love to the Mayerik family through the years, through patches, t-shirt sales, donated items, and funds to help cover medical and then funeral expenses. Buffalo Bills fans held prayer vigils during Eddie's final days and put out #FootballsforEddie the night of his passing. The Mayerik Family is forever indebted to the generosity of the Bills Mafia community.

Now, through The Eddie Mayerik Foundation, Eddie’s Infantry will soldier on with its commander watching from afar. Their collective sights remain focused on spreading love, lots of “Go Bills!,” and most importantly bringing greater awareness to congenital heart disease and raising funds to help advance research for congenital heart defects, so more families can remain whole.

About the Eddie Mayerik Foundation

The Eddie Mayerik Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization that honors the life and legacy of Edward “Eddie” Mayerik, the sweetest boy who bravely battled a congenital heart defect (CHD) and chronic lung disease. Eddie was deeply loved and an inspiration to those near and far.

The Eddie Mayerik Foundation envisions a world where every kid can thrive and where families remain whole. The Foundation works to ensure Eddie’s light shines bright by advancing CHD awareness and research, supporting the needs of heart families and those that serve them, and promoting Eddie's passions.

#EddiesInfantry Forever

Buffalo Bills fans worldwide showed up to support Eddie and his family. Join us now in Eddie's honor to raise funds for congenital heart defects (CHDs).

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