I want to express my heartfelt thanks for taking a moment to visit my fundraising page.
This year, I'm walking with extra purpose as The Children's Heart Foundation celebrates 30 incredible years of funding research that saves lives and changes futures. My commitment to making a difference has led me to participate in the Congenital Heart Walk, an event that carries immense significance for me—especially knowing that for three decades, CHF has been the leading force behind the treatments and surgical advances that help children with congenital heart defects thrive.
It's not just a walk; it's a stride toward the next 30 years of hope. This endeavor is all about supporting The Children's Heart Foundation's crucial mission—advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects through groundbreaking research that improves survival rates, reduces complications, and helps Heart Warriors celebrate more birthdays than ever before.
In 2008 "Amazing Grace" was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She had her first open heart surgery at a week old - the Norwood on June 19, 2008. Due to complications and a delayed receovery she had to have a Norwood revision on July 27, 2008. After the second surgery, she recovered beautifully and left the hospital on August 12, 2008, after spending 8 weeks in the NICU. In November 2008 Grace went back to the operating room and had her Glenn Procedure. This was by far the "easiest" surgery for her. She recovered beautifully fast and came home six days later, making it home in time for her first Thanksgiving. Over the first year of her life, Grace received many services and thrived as an infant meeting all of her milestones and was never too far behind her twin sister.
On May 10, 2011, Grace had her Fontan procedure. This was quite possibly the scariest day of our lives. She ended up on bypass for over 5 1/2 hours and we had no idea what the outcome would be. Immediately out of the operating room, Grace's cardiologist pointed out to us that she was now "pink". We were amazed at how obvious it was when looking at her little toes and fingers. No more "blue baby"! Grace had a rough road to recovery after the Fontan. She spent over a week in the PICU and scared us multiple times. She was moved to the cardiac floor and spent another 2 weeks there before having all tubes and lines removed, eating normally and being allowed to go home. Once home and reunited with her sisters, Grace recovered well and continued to meet, and even exceed, expectations. She has always been bright, kind and loved by her peers. She excelled in elementary school and junior high and has been on the honor roll every marking period of high school. She has worked so hard and has set herself up for success future.
Grace is now almost 18 years old and about to go off to college in the fall. It's hard to believe that all of the surgeries were so long ago. The memories are still so vivid in our minds and we are beyond proud of the kind, compassoinate and beautiful young woman she has grown into.
I warmly invite you to become a part of this milestone journey by supporting my joining our team and fundraising efforts. Together, we can raise the funds essential to continue the life-saving research that turns heartbreak into hope. Our family was once in the position where we didn't know what the future held for Grace. But thanks to the brillinat surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and especially to the research, our Grace along with so many other CHD babies have been given a full life.
Our mission is not over and your contribution holds immeasurable value to me and to every family who needs CHF's support. There is always more to learn to continue providing hope and futures to the parents and families that hear those dreaded words "Your baby has something wrong with their heart" - words I will never erase from my memory. But my amazing girl has made it easier for me to focus on the good and look forward to seeing what other accomplishments she will achieve.
Thank you for your generosity, and for standing beside me in this mission. Your support means the world.
