At our 20 week anatomy scan, we were told that our son had a heart defect called Tetraology of Fallot.  Our initial plan was to have treatment at a bigger hospital in the area (based on recommendations).  Our son Brandon Michael McKee was born on November 19, 2018. After a short stay in the NICU, we were discharged on Thanksgiving day because he was doing so well and showed no signs of an immediate need for a repair.  However, on November 30th (the scariest day of our lives), Brandon had a TET spell (turned blue and stopped breathing) and was rushed to the nearest emergency room, which was A.I. Dupont Hospital.  We decided to stay @ AI DuPont because of the exceptional care we received .On December 3rd, Dr. Pizarro performed heart surgery to fix the Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Pulmonary Stenosis as well as a vascular ring. The surgery was a success and we were discharged from the hospital a week later.  We feel very fortunate and blessed that we were able to stay at AI DuPont hospital.  The quick response of the staff and the doctors saved our sons life.  Dr. Pizarro and his team are amazing and the staff of CICU and 2B provided us with such great care that we felt like family the entire time we were there.  We cannot thank everyone enough for the compassionate care we received.

That’s why I am running for a reason - to support the Cardiac Center at Nemours with a fundraiser for the children and families they serve. 

To support Nemours means to help provide expert care, but also allows the pursuit of life-saving research and the ability to conduct community outreach and education programs, which prevent some children from ever having to enter the hospital doors.

I support the Nemours promise to do whatever it takes to prevent and treat even the most disabling childhood conditions. Every donation counts - every gift will make a difference to a child in need. Will you join me?

Thank you in advance for helping me help kids!