Raising awareness for congenital heart disease became deeply personal for our family when, during my 20-week anatomy scan, we learned that our son, Watson, had multiple severe congenital heart defects. In a single appointment, our world changed. We went from planning for a healthy baby to learning about open-heart surgeries, lifelong medical care, and an uncertain future.

Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 1 in every 100 babies born. Nearly 25% of those children require open-heart surgery within their first year of life just to survive. While surgery can dramatically improve heart function, there is still no cure for congenital heart disease.

Watson was born with an incredibly rare and complex heart condition called Double Inlet Left Ventricle (DILV), along with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) and several associated defects. Simply put, instead of having two pumping chambers like a typical heart, Watson has one ventricle doing the work of two.

At just 6 months old, Watson underwent his first open-heart surgery—the Glenn procedure. Then, at 4 years old, he bravely faced his Fontan surgery, another major milestone in his heart journey. Watching your child be wheeled into an operating room for open-heart surgery is something no parent can ever truly prepare for. While those surgeries have given Watson the opportunity to run, play, laugh, and simply be a kid, they are not a cure.

The Fontan circulation is a remarkable medical advancement, but it comes with lifelong challenges. Watson will always need specialized cardiac care, and there is still the possibility that he could one day need additional interventions or even a heart transplant. As his mom, those unknowns never completely leave your mind—but neither does hope.

That hope exists because of research. The medical advances made over the past several decades are the reason children like Watson have the chance to grow up. Without those breakthroughs, our son would not be here today.

Supporting The Children's Heart Foundation is our way of giving back and helping create an even brighter future—not only for Watson, but for every child and family whose lives are forever changed by congenital heart disease. We dream of a day when families receive better answers, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

Thank you for standing with our family, supporting Team Watson, and helping turn hope into reality for the next generation of Heart Warriors.