This will be our 7th year walking in the Heartbeat 5000.  We walk for our beautiful daughter Madeline, who was born with Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).  Madeline has had 3 open heart surgeries, and many other procedures done at Children's hopsital.  We spent almost 3 months at Childrens after her 3rd surgery, so we know first hand how nice it is to have a nice comfortable space to stay while your family is dealing with the stress of a sick child.
HeartBeat donations fund the most urgent needs in Children's cardiovascular program. This ranges from surgical equipment to room renovations to staff training and more. Last year a portion of HeartBeat funds were used to purchase new rocking chairs for all the rooms in the cardiovascular unit. The specially designed chairs are made for the healing touch of a parent and allow parents a comfortable space to sit with their child to rock them to sleep, read them a story or just be near each other. This year a portion of HeartBeat funds will support the creation of an on-site, state-of-the-art Simulation (SIM) Center. The SIM Center will in all ways look, sound and be equipped like a hospital setting, with training capabilities that cover a wide range of cardiovascular encounters.
Madeline is a happy, active 7 year old thanks to the amazing staff at Childrens.