Seven years ago during an ultrasound, I found out that something was wrong with my baby’s heart. I went from thinking about nursery color schemes to planning my child’s first open heart surgery in a matter of minutes. I left that appointment scared, grieving the normal childhood my child would no longer have. 

But Sam has proven that this journey has no playbook. 

In his seven years, he’s been through more medical procedures than most adults experience in a lifetime—three open-heart surgeries, several cardiac caths, and a pacemaker. Yet when you see him outside playing with his friends, he’s just… a kid. A wild, hilarious, creative, unstoppable kid who lives a full life because research and innovation made it possible.

This is why I walk.

This is why I volunteer. 

This is why I ask for your support. 

…for the baby I met on an ultrasound screen.

….for the child I now help with his homework. 

…for the new parents every day who are hearing for the first time that something is wrong with their baby’s heart. 

1 in 110 babies is born with a congenital heart defect. The Children’s Heart Foundation is funding the breakthroughs that save their lives, improve their outcomes, and support them into adulthood. And I don’t need to tell you that funding research is a big deal given all that is happening with federal research funding this year.

Thank you for reading, and for considering donating to the CHF in honor of Sam and every kid on this lifelong journey.