Brendon was born with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia. In 2009, we found out during a routine ultrasound, that something with his heart wasn't normal. At five days old, he had his first open heart heart procedure, the placement of a BT shunt. Then at six months old, he had another open heart procedure, which was to close up his VSD and to place a donor valve where his absent pulmonary valve was supposed to be. Brendon has also had two less invasive heart catheterization procedures (5 months old and 12 years old) and is currently awaiting a surgical procedure date for his next intervention, which should occur before the end of this calendar year. This procedure will either be a transcatheter valve placement or it might need to be an open heart surgery. To say Brendon and other kids with CHDs are amazingly strong, would be an understatement!
Our family is extemely thankful to all of the wonderful donors that make this camp possible. This organization is blessed to have so many selfless volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy making a place for CHD kids to have fun! This camp is beyond exceptional and my son has enjoyed this camp since he was 7-years old!
Camp del Corazon History:
Begun in 1995 by a pediatric cardiologist and a cardiovascular nurse, Camp del Corazon provides a free-of-charge residential summer camp on Catalina Island off the coast of California to 300+ kids (ages 7-17) living with congenital heart disease. Over the past 25 years, Camp del Corazon has grown to include year round programming, including virtual camp, an educational symposium for heart families, and a young adult program (ages 18-25) to support former campers as they transition to adulthood and take ownership of their health. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Camp is more than all these awesome programs, camp is a FEELING! Camp has become a community and a FAMILY to so many kids and families who thought they were alone.
And now, Camp has become MY family! Camp means so much to me. I want to make sure that Camp continues to provide a community and family for future generations of heart kids and families. Will you help me? You can join my team, make a donation, share the link to this page on social media, or come volunteer at FamFest on October 21 and be part of the camp magic! Thanks for helping to raise awareness and funds for this organization that is so close to my heart.