Thank you so much for visiting Team Elaina's page!

Since 2022, our family has proudly participated in the Congenital Heart Walk. Every year we walk to celebrate how far Elaina has come, honor every Heart Warrior, and help raise funds for the research that gives families like ours hope.

When Elaina was just 8 weeks old, our lives changed forever. She was diagnosed with ALCAPA, a rare congenital heart defect, and underwent emergency open-heart surgery to save her life. After unexpected complications, she needed a second heart surgery and spent 73 days in the hospital before we were finally able to bring her home.

Today, she's a thriving, happy little girl whose strength amazes us every single day. Her heart scar is a reminder of everything she's overcome, and her journey inspired us to write My Scar is Beautiful—a children's book created to help children with scars see them not as something to hide, but as a beautiful reminder of their courage.

Watching Elaina grow has shown us just how important congenital heart research truly is. This year, The Children's Heart Foundation is celebrating 30 years of funding groundbreaking CHD research—research that has helped improve treatments, advance surgical care, and give children like Elaina the chance to grow up and thrive.

We walk because we know there are families receiving a diagnosis today, just as we once did. We walk for the babies preparing for their first surgery, for the children facing another procedure, and for the adults living with congenital heart defects. Most of all, we walk because every child deserves the chance to live a long, healthy life.

If you're able, we'd be so grateful for your support. Whether you make a donation, join our team, or simply share our page, you're helping fund research that will change lives.

Thank you for standing with our family, cheering on Elaina, and helping us make a difference—one step at a time.

With love,

Team Elaina/ My Scar is Beautiful