From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking a moment to visit our fundraising page. Your support means more than words can express — especially for a cause that’s so near and dear to our family.
Vivian’s Journey:
At just 12 hours old, our daughter Vivian was diagnosed with a heart murmur. What should have been one of the happiest days of our lives quickly became a whirlwind of uncertainty and fear. Doctors soon confirmed that Vivian was born with a congenital heart defect — a tiny hole in her heart. As she grew into a bright, energetic little girl, we hoped the hole would close on its own. But life had other plans.
In September 2024, after a seemingly simple cold, Vivian was hospitalized. That’s when we learned it was time — her heart needed surgical repair. We entered quarantine, trying to keep her healthy enough for surgery while carrying the weight of a thousand unanswered questions. Would she be healthy enough for surgery? Would the surgery work? What would recovery look like? Our emotions ran the full spectrum — joy, fear, hope, heartbreak. We leaned on our loved ones for strength as we faced this challenge head on.
Then came November 15, 2024 — a date we will cherish forever. Vivian’s open-heart surgery was a success! Our little warrior was no longer in heart failure. That day marked the beginning of a new chapter — one of healing, resilience, and overwhelming gratitude. The incredible team at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn gave us our miracle, and we will never stop being thankful for the gift they gave us.
In true Vivian fashion, she was ready to take on the world just days after surgery — even though we were told to keep her calm and still for the next 12 weeks. Imagine trying to contain the energy of a 10-month-old explorer with a new lease on life and a fully-functioning heart!
Today, at 15 months old, Vivian is unstoppable — running through the park, lighting up every room she enters with big smiles and endless clapping, and showing us every day what it means to be a HEART WARRIOR. You’d never know the battles she’s fought by the way she thrives.
That’s why we’re walking in this year’s Congenital Heart Walk with The Children’s Heart Foundation in Chicago. It’s more than a walk — it’s a movement to fund groundbreaking research, improve treatments, and help children like Vivian live longer, healthier lives.
We invite you to join Vivian’s heartBEAT Brigade and support our mission. Every donation helps push forward life-saving research and brings hope to families walking the same uncertain path we once did.
Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and for walking with us in this fight. Your support truly means the world.
