I want to express my heartfelt thanks for taking a moment to visit my fundraising page.

Omar was an AMAZING 4 year old boy that lived a short yet FULL life. He was sweet, sometimes grumpy, persistent, easy to love, silly, playful, and courageous. Omar loved fire trucks, Paw Patrols, garbage trucks, fishing, Dunkin Donuts, playing with his sisters, and driving around his neighborhood, across from MHS, on any one of his 3 Power Wheels!  He wanted to be a Firefighter but his true passion was cars. Omar is the son of Mrs. Spitz, a special education teacher here at Mundelein High School. 

Before Omar was born, he was diagnosed with a serious congenital heart defect (CHD) called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). 1 out of 100 babies born have a congenital heart defect and 1 out of 3,841 babies are born with HLHS.  Omar was born with a Left Ventricle that was underdeveloped and not able to do its job, which is to pump oxygenated blood to the body. Some people describe this condition as having half of a heart. In order for Omar to survive, he had to undergo 3 open heart surgeries, all between a few days old to about 4 years old, with an almost indefinite possibility of a heart transplant in his future. 

Omar had his 3rd open heart surgery on October 12th,  2021 and devastatingly, did not survive the complications after this surgery and we said goodbye, for now,  to our beautiful boy on October 29th. Throughout his life, Omar braved many doctor appointments, procedures, and surgeries. Despite everything he weathered, Omar LIVED his life to the FULLEST and was LOVED immensely by so many people!     

This year, 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.

I warmly invite you to become a part of this milestone journey by supporting my fundraising efforts. Together, we can raise the funds essential to continue the life-saving research that turns heartbreak into hope. Your contribution holds immeasurable value to me and to every family who needs CHF's support.

Thank you for your generosity, and for standing beside me in this mission. Your support means the world.

Love, 

Omar and Family