Hello Friends,
It’s Heart Walk Time again!
Many of you are familiar with TEAM ZACHARY and our participation in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk here in Charleston, WV. This year marks our 17th year of walking for this great cause.
We continue to be incredibly honored that the Charleston walk recognizes Zachary's commitment through the “Team Zachary Top Community Team Award” given out each year.
Zachary was a survivor of three heart surgeries before he was 2 years old. From that year on, he was an enthusiastic participant in this cause to end heart disease. He lived life with the appreciation of a grateful heart to God for each day!
Though Zach is no longer here to walk beside us, his spirit and mission live on. Now, more than ever, we are convinced that more research for heart disease is needed. Zach believed in helping to fund life-saving science for other children like himself, and we don’t want lives to end like his—we want hearts to keep beating!
This year, TEAM ZACHARY will be supporting an incredible young heart warrior: Ivy Llayton.
Ivy is 4 years old and was born with a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia (TOF w/PA). She had a PDA stent placed at just 5 days old, followed by corrective open-heart surgery at almost 4 months old to place a conduit with a pulmonary valve. Complications from the surgery led to milestone delays and a feeding tube until she was 8 months old. She has also been in chronic heart failure ever since, for which she takes medicine three times daily—though you wouldn't know it just by looking at her! Ivy will eventually need further intervention when she outgrows her conduit, but we are just grateful she is doing so well right now. We are inspired every day by Ivy's infectious smile, determination, and sweet nature.
If you are willing to keep hearts beating and bring a future to others with heart defects, please donate to the American Heart Association on our Team Zachary page.
Thank you for your continued love, support, and generosity.