Mend a Heart

IMG_4946

Community Rallies Behind Local Foundation

By Emma Wolf

In 2007, Brian and Bridget O’Meara decided to start the Mend a Heart Foundation after their son, Liam, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), which means that he is missing the left side of his heart. Congenital heart defects affect 1 in 100 babies in the U.S., which is about 40,000 babies per year. Thanks to the modern medical technology that exists today, Liam has undergone three successful heart reconstructive surgeries and his heart has been reconstructed so that it is able to function with a single ventricle instead of two. With the goal of supporting further research and medical care for other children born with congenital heart defects, Mend a Heart raises money through fundraisers to make a difference in the lives of many. Since 2007, the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization has raised more than $1 million to support congenital heart defect research, high school cardiac screenings and medically-supervised heart camps. The foundation is strictly run by volunteers. In February, they hosted Heartfest 2022, which is a locally sponsored event in which guests were encouraged to wear red in support of heart health. This past year, they raised $170,000 and had 275 attendees.

The event took place at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook and included food, live music from the Hey Jimmy band, silent auction, raffles, and speakers to share their stories. The foundation has connections with cardiologists across the U.S. Mend a Heart established a Junior Board of 25 local high school students to help raise awareness for their mission, reach their fundraising goals, and promote heart health awareness among the young population. The Junior Board includes students from Hinsdale Central High School, Lyons Township High School, Fenwick High School, Benet Academy, and Nazareth Academy. In October, the Junior Board had a chocolate bar sale and used the funds to buy Christmas presents for hospitalized kids at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn. The high school students delivered over 100 presents to the kids in the hospital, as well as seasonal goody bags for the kids’ families to help spread holiday cheer and put smiles on the kids’ faces. Additionally, in February the Junior Board made candy Valentines for cardiac healthcare workers. While there is still much research to be done to learn more about possible cures for congenital heart defects, it is promising and reassuring to know that the Mend a Heart Foundation is making progress in raising both money and awareness for this great cause, as well as bringing families together through networking and connecting at their events.

To learn more about the Mend a Heart Foundation, go to mendaheart.org

*Photos courtesy of Mend-A-Heart organization

Author

NAZ-TROPHY

Nazareth Roadrunners win state title despite five losses, 0-4 start

Ring-in-a-happy-New-year-Pillars-Community-Health-warren-kMRMcUcO81M-unsplash-e1704658045639

Ring in a happy and healthy New Year

Karen Bushy, Dr. Rita Yadava, Lara Suleiman and Susan Kelly Costello, panelists for the Women’s Round Table

Oak Brook Historical Society Hosts Women’s Roundtable

Pillars Community Health’s President and CEO, Angela Curran; Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Julie Ryan; Award Recipient, Sally Kurfirst; and Kim Stephens, Senior Vice President of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services

Pillars Community Health

TheWellnessHouseRadiance2023-37469-e1704591263521

Radiance Ball a Shining Success

Elmhurst Cover January 2024

Happy New Year from the Elmhurst Magazine team!

Hello Winter Photo

Hello Winter

York-freshman-makes-impact-COAN-2

York freshman makes impact at state tennis

Decorating-the-library-for-Christams-for-72-years

The Elmhurst Garden Club gives back in more ways than one

October 29, 2023 – (left to right) Maureen Porter, Karen Materick, Louise Burnison, Molly McGinnis, Tracy Richards, Angela Lukas, Abigail Emerson, Nancy Cushing, Tracie Wilcox, Ann Murtaugh, Rachel Corrough, Jennifer Langtry and Colleen Stover of the Midwest section came in second place in the Adult 40 & Over 4.0 Women League National Championship at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, California.

Local area tennis team takes second in nationals

Photo-5-frankenstein-1

Elmhurst dancer takes center stage at Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

Main-Photo-of-Auto-Show

Chicago Auto Show: First Look for Charity supports the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation