Team CHDAware has a passion for the children who are born with Congenital Heart Disease. We want to spread awareness and support for our community who may be affected. It is personal as it has affected our family directly and without the support of our village, we wouldn't be in the place we are today.

 

Our first daughter, Leona, was born with an AV Canal defect and needed intervention at four weeks and surgery at four months. Her defect was not detected in utero by ultrasound or directly after birth. We are thankful for our pediatrician who heard a murmur at four weeks and sent us to a pediatric cardiologist. She had surgery at Nationwide Children's Hospital to correct her defect. Her course afterwards was unexpected and left her with a weak heart. She required a heart transplant at three and a half years old. That was 7 years ago! She continues to have regular check ups every three months and annual heart caths to assess her new heart's function. We are thankful everyday for her donor and for the advancements in the world of CHD. 

 

Our second daughter, Miriam, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Her defect was detected on her anatomy scan. She had a complex defect which left her with pulmonary hypertension when she was born. She was born at Nationwide Children's Hospital and had surgery immediately. She was amazingly strong and we were able to spend five weeks with her at the hospital. Unfortunately, the disease and lung damage was too much for her to overcome. Without the advances in treatment of this complex disease, we would not have had that time with her.

 

Come support our girls and spread awareness with us!

 

Thank you, 

 

Mackenzie Graham and family