We're truly grateful for your visit to our team page!
Our team is walking with purpose this year—celebrating 30 incredible years of The Children's Heart Foundation funding research that saves lives! Every 15 minutes in the United States, a baby is born with a congenital heart defect, making CHDs the most common birth defect in our country. For three decades, CHF has been the driving force behind the treatments and surgical advances that have transformed survival rates and given countless children with CHD the chance to thrive.
When our Amazing Heart Warrior (and princess) Arya, was born she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) that was putting pressure on her aortic valve, causing it to work harder and ultimately stressing her little heart. Her mom, Helena, learned she’d need several procedures to correct this, and her care team at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago had hoped to perform these later in life. Instead, they needed to intervene at 9 months and again at 1 year. While the timing was unexpected, both were huge successes and even warranted cheers in the OR!
In 2023 and 2024, Arya had a cardiac catheterization performed, where it was confirmed she would eventually need a repair on her conduit and a third open heart surgery on her mitral valve.
Arya is currently on medication to keep her mitral valve gradient mild and she checks in with her heart care team every 2-4 weeks. She had her third cardiac catheterization performed May of 2025 as they wait for the surgical team's opinion on when is the optimal time to intervene on her mitral valve. Arya is an extremely active, loving, sweet, smart, stubborn warrior. She enjoys her dance classes, school, and lots of playdates with friends.
As you may be aware, the Congenital Heart Walk is dedicated to making this impact continue. Our mission is clear—we aim to raise funds to support The Children's Heart Foundation's quest to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs by funding groundbreaking research that improves outcomes, reduces complications, and helps Heart Warriors live longer, healthier lives.
We invite you to join our team in honoring this legacy. By supporting our team or walking with us, you're contributing to research that can save and enhance the lives of infants born with CHDs, as well as children and adults living with these conditions. Together, we're part of a 30-year story of hope—and we're writing the next chapter. Your support makes a significant impact, and for that, we want to say a heartfelt thank you.
Will you join us in making a real difference? Please consider supporting our team or walking with us. Every step we take together celebrates how far we've come and funds the miracles still ahead.