We're truly grateful for your visit to our team page! Our team is walking with purpose this year—celebrating 30 incredible years of The Children's Heart Foundation funding research that saves lives!
We would love it if you would take a moment to read a little about our journey as a Heart Family and consider joining us in our pursuit of advocacy for our warrior, raising CHD awareness, and continued funding for invaluable congenital heart defect research.
We became a part of the Heart Family community when our younger son, Ethan, was born in 2018. Ethan was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Heart Syndrome (HLHS) at 18 weeks in utero. After intensive research and planning, we decided as a family to temporarily relocate to Boston to secure the most advanced medical care for our sweet warrior. Since then, Ethan has undergone three planned surgeries and numerous additional life-saving surgeries & procedures in his short seven years of life. Today, thanks to modern medicine and advancements in medical research, Ethan is a thriving first grader who loves all things Mickey Mouse, playing baseball, and hanging out with his big brother, Owen!
We quickly learned in our Heart Family journey that we were not alone, as nearly 1 in 110 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Yet, research funding continues to be grossly underfunded. Knowing that a mere forty or so years ago, prior to advancements in research and modern medicine, Ethan's rare CHD would have been fatal, fundraising for continued research has become a passion for our family.
Specializing in fundraising for only the most promising medical research related to CHDs, The Children's Heart Foundation holds a very special place in our hearts because we know that this is the key to improved outcomes, better quality of life, and increased longevity for Heart Warriors just like our sweet E!
Will you join us in making a real difference? Please consider supporting our Team Ethan Strong by donating, sponsoring, or just walking with us to raise community awareness! Every step we take brings us one step closer to improving the lives of those affected by congenital heart defects. We hope to see YOU at the Jacksonville walk on Sunday, 10/25/26!