Raising funds for congenital heart defects has recently become incredibly important to our family. Our daughter, Sedona, was born at home on October 28, 2024, surrounded by family. However, our midwife noticed some concerning signs—Sedona wasn’t quite hitting a few key vital stats, and her breathing sounded a bit off. We were quickly advised to take her to the hospital for observation.

What followed was a whirlwind. Just three hours after birth, we were in the emergency room, and what began as a simple observation turned into a five-day NICU stay filled with numerous tests. It was during this time that Sedona was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect called pulmonary valve stenosis. The news came as a shock, and it’s something we’re still processing, even three months later.

While Sedona’s prognosis is positive, our journey is far from over. She’s already undergone a balloon catheter procedure to open up her heart valve, and she’ll likely need another in the near future.

As a parent, the sense of helplessness and loss of control is something I’m sure many other families with medically complex children can relate to. While there’s so much that feels out of our hands, raising money for research to help fund life-saving advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects is something I can do.

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting 1 in 110 babies. Through grants from The Children’s Heart Foundation, innovative treatments and groundbreaking surgeries are developed, helping children with CHD live longer, healthier lives.

I invite you to join me in supporting this critical cause by contributing to my fundraising efforts. Together, we can help fund the research that’s essential to advancing care for children like Sedona. Your support would mean the world to me and my family.

Thank you for your generosity and for standing with us on this journey. Your kindness makes all the difference.