One evening in August of 2014 our son Tony, his wife Alexandra and their daughter Ruby were coming over to tell us the gender of their baby that was due in January.  They had their 20 week ultrasound that day which would reveal this and also ensure them that the baby was healthy. We were aware that Alexandra’s nephew, Jackson, now 12, was born with a severe heart defect and, for peace of mind, they wanted assurance that their baby’s heart was healthy. 

They arrived that evening with a little bag with something pink – another girl! We were so excited for them, but there was soon silence and some quiet tears, something wasn’t right. We then learned that the ultrasound revealed their baby had something called transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Not being in the medical field this was unknown to us and very scary.

We spent the next five months watching them prepare for her birth and praying for a positive outcome.  Knowing that Alexandra would deliver at Children’s Hospital and the Mother Birth Center and that the baby’s heart surgery would be performed at Children’s Heart Clinic gave us some peace of mind.

On January 28th, Steve’s birthday, our third granddaughter was born. They named her Vera Lorraine. Vera means faith in Russian.  We had faith in her strength, faith in her heart, and faith in the doctor's who fixed her heart, and who will continue to help her heart heal and grow.  Lorraine is for my mother, who continues to be the picture of health at 88. We thought they named her wisely and beautifully.

On February 2nd, Vera’s strength, skilled medical staff and lots of prayers got her through open heart surgery to correct the TGA. She went home six days later.

We can never thank the Children’s Heart Clinic enough for getting Vera home to her parents, sister, family and friends but we can try.

The Heartbeat 5000 race, raising funds to help the clinic sustain its presence, is a start.  Please think about donating and supporting this cause.  It really is dear to our hearts, and to so many others.  It's for Vera, for Alexandra’s nephew, Jackson, and all the other babies who deserve the best chance for a healthy heart.

Thank you for your support.

Nancy Loosbrock