This October, we are walking in honor of our brave heart warrior, Santi .

Santiago was born with a rare and complex congenital heart condition: Pulmonary Atresia with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries (MAPCAs). These words were terrifying to hear as new parents. It meant his heart didn’t form the way it should, and he would need major surgeries just to survive.

Santiago spent the first 5 months of his life in the hospital, fighting harder than most of us will in a lifetime. He endured procedures, setbacks, and long days attached to machines. But through it all, he never stopped fighting and on August 5th, 2024, we finally got to bring our boy home.

Now, as we celebrate one full year with him at home, we’re walking to honor his strength and raise awareness for congenital heart defects (CHD).

We walk for Santiago, and for the 1 in 100 babies born with CHD each year. We walk to support research, resources, and hope for families like ours, because no one should have to face this journey alone.