Remembering Nova “Shark” Christian Blain

On Wednesday, October 15th, our sweet Nova Christian Blain — lovingly known as “Nova Shark” — passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. She was just six years old, but her light filled a lifetime’s worth of love, laughter, and joy.

Nova was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare condition where the left side of the heart doesn’t develop fully, and heterotaxy syndrome, which causes some organs to form on the opposite side of the body. From the very start, Nova faced a mountain of challenges — countless surgeries, hospital stays, and treatments at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Through it all, she radiated courage and sweetness that lifted everyone around her.

Even when her body grew tired and the treatments could no longer help, Nova’s spirit never dimmed. She came home on hospice, where she spent her final days surrounded by her family — wrapped in love, laughter, and peace.

But to know Nova was to know more than her medical story. She was the light of every room, the bossy little sister who gave clear (and usually loud!) directions to her siblings, and the giggling tornado who could turn a pile of paper into a confetti masterpiece — one of her favorite pastimes. Her smile was pure sunshine.

Nova’s favorites changed often — her favorite color rotated daily from purple to blue to yellow to green, because she wanted them all. She loved pizza, mac and cheese, cheeseburgers, and of course, those famous cheesy Cheeto fingers that left their mark everywhere she went. Her world danced to the songs of Bubble Guppies, Baby Shark, and Number Blocks, shows that could always pull a laugh or a wiggle out of her.

Nova taught everyone around her what it means to love big, laugh loud, and find beauty in the smallest moments. Her time here was far too short, but her impact was immeasurable.

Nova’s family is now facing the heartbreaking task of laying her to rest. This GoFundMe has been created to help her mom, Jenny, cover the costs of Nova’s funeral and memorial services — something deeply important to her and to all who loved this bright, brave little girl.

If you feel moved to give, share, or simply hold Nova’s family in your thoughts and prayers, it means more than words can say.

Thank you for helping honor Nova “Shark” Christian Blain — a little girl who lived with a huge heart and left behind a trail of light.