American Heart Association

When I first found out about Arianna’s heart defect, I immediately turned to the internet to look for a local support group. To my surprise there wasn’t one and I spent the months leading up to her surgery being very scared and alone. Yes I had my family and I couldn’t of done it without them but I needed to connect with other CHD families. We went through her surgery and when we were finally home I felt this huge sense of relief. At that point I decided I wanted to make some contacts within the community and let them know if they ever had a CHD family looking for support then they could give out my number. I immediately contacted the American Heart Association (AHA) and asked if they did any kind of events for CHD families. I was directed to the Heart Walk coordinator who asked if I would be willing to come into the office and have a meet-and-greet with the facility. So Arianna and myself went to the local office and had a nice little meeting. I got to share my experience with them and gave them my information to pass on to anyone who may need it. They asked if I would ever be willing to speak at local events that come up throughout the year. I told them yes and then went on my way.

To my surprise in November I got a call from them asking if they could use Arianna as a survivor story in a local magazine, which happens to be the magazine company my mom works for! I was so excited and honored that anyone would want to do an article on my baby. They had a photographer come out last month and they composed a short article on Arianna. The magazine will be coming out in February, however, I just got the rough draft from my mom today, so as soon as I can get it scanned I’ll have to upload it so you all can see it.

Then about 2 weeks ago I get a call from the Heart Walk organizer and she wanted to know if I would be willing to speak at a local breakfast event to promote the 2008 Heart Walk. I have heard from many people that the AHA only donates one penny of every dollar to CHD research. So at first I was skeptical and asked if someone could give me a figure for what they contribute to CHD research. I didn’t hear anything until yesterday the same lady called back to see if I was going to do the speech. I told her I haven’t heard back from anyone so I hadn’t made up my mind. She was able to find the 2006 budget and this is what she said. “Arizona raised 1.2 million dollars and the national headquarters gave back 1.7 million dollars in grant money.” I told her that’s great but what went to the children. She said, “11 million dollars went to pediatric research throughout the US.” She went on to explain that research being done in other states does benefit Arianna and I told her I completely agree. I told her I needed some time and I would call her back tomorrow. I thought and prayed hard on this and God told me that it’s not the dollar amount that matters but the act of giving to the community. You may ask, “Well what are you giving?”, I’m giving a new way of looking at heart disease. When people think of heart disease they think of the older generation who acquire heart disease, not baby that are born with it. These children go through a lifetime of surgeries, heart caths, medications, and sometimes-even transplants. We need more to be done for these children. I know my daughter’s life depends on it. Now whether it’s 11 million dollars or 100 million dollars it needs to be brought to the public’s attention. All things start out small, but it’s the faith of just one that can turn it into something greater. I have put my faith in God and will let him lead me wherever I should go. The first place he has lead me is to the AHA Heart Walk breakfast, which is being held on Jan. 17th.

I am a big supporter of the Children’s Heart Foundation. (You can get the link from the link section of my blog.) This organization is completely dedicated to funding congenital heart defect research. I have already contacted this organization to try and get involved and even possibly establish an Arizona chapter since there isn’t one yet, but was told there was already someone working on that and they will forward my information. I have yet to hear back from them so I’m leaving that one in God’s hands.