We're truly grateful for your visit to our team page!
Our team is walking with purpose this year—celebrating 30 incredible years of The Children's Heart Foundation funding research that saves lives! Every 15 minutes in the United States, a baby is born with a congenital heart defect, making CHDs the most common birth defect in our country. For three decades, CHF has been the driving force behind the treatments and surgical advances that have transformed survival rates and given countless children with CHD the chance to thrive.
The Congenital Heart Walk is dedicated to making this impact continue. Our mission is clear—we aim to raise funds to support The Children's Heart Foundation's quest to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs by funding groundbreaking research that improves outcomes, reduces complications, and helps Heart Warriors live longer, healthier lives.
Gemma was diagnosed with a hypoplastic right ventricle/double inlet left ventricle in utero during her 20 week anatomy scan. Babies with DILV have an intact left ventricle (the pumping chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the body) and a small right ventricle (the pumping chamber that pumps blood to the lungs). Both atria supply blood to the left ventricle, and as a result oxygen-rich blood and oxygen-poor blood are combined. This mixture of blood flows to both the baby's lungs and body.
Gemma was born on August 18, 2019 and underwent her first intervention at 5 weeks old, a catheterization to insert a stent in an opening in her heart (PDA). In the Spring of 2020 she underwent 2 open heart surgeries at 9 and 10 months old (Glenn and pseudoaneurysm repair). In July 2022, at almost 3 years old, she underwent her third open heart surgery (the Fontan procedure) followed by pacemaker placement three days later. Today Gemma is 6.5 years old and doing great despite her complex heart condition. These surgeries don't cure her CHD, but they allow her to survive with half a heart.
Dylan is 3 years old and was diagnosed with a CHD after an abnormal echo and CT scan at 3 months old confirmed he had a Vascular Ring/Double Aortic Arch. Babies with DAA typically have airway obstruction from the ring pressing on the trachea and esophagus, leading to trouble breathing and swallowing. Thanks to our cardiology team this was caught early before Dylan really had any symptoms. While his condition is much less complex than Gemma's, at 6 months old Dylan underwent surgery to remove the ring. Luckily the surgeon was able to do this off the pump and via thoracotomy which led to a much quicker recovery.
We invite you to join our team in honoring this legacy. By supporting our team or walking with us, you're contributing to research that can save and enhance the lives of infants born with CHDs, as well as children and adults living with these conditions. Together, we're part of a 30-year story of hope—and we're writing the next chapter. Your support makes a significant impact, and for that, we want to say a heartfelt thank you.
Will you join us in making a real difference? Please consider supporting our team or walking with us. Every step we take together celebrates how far we've come and funds the miracles still ahead.