I've always cherished my childhood memories. Every day felt like an adventure, full of new learning opportunities and activities. We all have unforgettable childhood moments, and many of us dream of recreating them for our own children.

Since high school, I've volunteered as a head coach for kids aged 5-18, primarily focusing on the 5-14 age range. I also have recently joined the Rockford Park District's Marketing Department. Both experiences have fueled a passion in me to support and lead our youth. I have also been reignited with the childhood spark I once felt myself as a child. Because of this, it is extremely important to me that we ensure kids today receive a quality education, forge lifelong friendships, and create lasting memories through various sports and activities. These experiences are crucial for their development and enrich their lives well beyond childhood.

It pains me to think that some children might not get a fair shot at such a childhood due to congenital heart diseases (CHD). These children often face lower survival rates and must adapt their lives to manage their condition. I've been deeply moved by the Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) and its mission to fund research that improves the quality of life and survival rates for kids with CHD.

I encourage you to explore the testimonials on CHF's website and social media. It's inspiring to see how their research has uncovered life-saving diagnoses and treatments. CHF's dedication to advancing medical understanding has given countless children a chance at a brighter future. For many children today, their specific diagnoses can be safely treated due to the research that the CHF has conducted years/decades ago. I believe that it is extremely important to continue this trend, so that each child that is born with these unfortunate and rare conditions can know there is a team that cares, believes, and strives for them to have the best childhood that they can possibly have. 

If you have it in your heart, please join me in supporting CHF and helping children with CHD so that we can make a difference in their hearts ❤️.