Running the Chicago marathon gives me the opportunity to raise money for a charity of my choice, and I wanted to choose an organization that felt important to me personally.
On December 11, 2023, two of my best friends had a baby boy, Parker. After what was a very healthy pregnancy, Parker was born with Critical Pulmonary Stenosis, a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). Within hours of being born he was life flighted to another hospital for emergency surgery. Since then he has undergone multiple surgeries, procedures, tests, and medications with a lot of ups and downs. They have also experienced so many adorable firsts - his first smile, first giggle, first stroller ride, first time outside, and many more to come!
As of March 22, 2024, Parker and his family ran out of surgical options and he is officially on the heart transplant list. Worldwide, there are approximately 100 pediatric heart transplants per year. In the United States alone, 40,000 children are born with a Congenital Heart Defect each year, and 7,200 of those are considered critical. The American Heart Association conducts lifesaving research and funds health advances that can change the life expectancy of babies born with CHD. You can read more about what they are doing at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects
I'll be spending a Sunday morning in October running for Parker. Marathons are tough, but it will be nothing compared to the battle Parker and his parents are experiencing. Please keep Parker and his parents in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to wait for the perfect heart. If you feel inclined, please donate to the American Heart Association so they can further their research on the world's number 1 type of birth defect.
