Near and Dear to our hearts.....

Our sweet Peyton was a year post heart surgery in November! She is doing great and is a busy 2 year old. I learned about an organization while Peyton was in the hospital called It's My Heart. At the time I thought it was just a support group, but I later learned that it is much more than that! This organization provides resources for families that have children with a Congenital Heart defects, information for expectant parents, they can even match families with other families whose children have the same or similar defects. IMH also raises funds for CHD research. One of the biggest fundraisers that they have is a CHD 5K Awareness walk. So, we decided to form a team! We learned about the event last minute, so just our family was able to participate. We set a goal of $250 and we raised $324!!!! I hope to have a HUGE team and HUGE goal next year! 

Our team ~ Peyton's Whole Heart!

Waiting for the 5K to start!

There were hundreds of people of people there to walk the 5K! There were also tons of things to do at the family fun day afterwards! I want to share some CHD facts while you enjoy the pictures of the walk! 

• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 birth defect. Source: March of Dimes
• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. Source: March of Dimes
• About 1 out of every 100 babies are born each year with some type of Congenital Heart Defect. (approx. 40,000/year) Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• Nearly twice as many children die from Congenital Heart Defects in the United States each year as from all forms of childhood cancers combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHD. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation

Eric, Jenny, & Cyndie

Madison refused to let go of Grandaddy's hand!

A stomp crew from Cy-Fair High school were there to provide entertainment, but they walked and handed out water as well! An amazing group of young, talented men!

• The American Heart Association directs only $0.30 of every dollar donated toward research. The remainder goes toward administration, education and fundraising efforts. Of the $0.30 that goes toward research only $0.01 goes toward pediatric cardiology for CHD. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• This year approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• The cost for inpatient surgery to repair Congenital Heart Defects exceeds $2.2 billion a year. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation

• Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding only a fraction of a penny is directed toward Congenital Heart Defect research. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• Though research is ongoing, at least 35 defects have now been identified.
• 4-8% born with CHD have Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• 4-10% born with CHD have Atrioventricular Septal Defects
• 8-11% born with CHD have Coarctation of the Aorta
• 9-14% born with CHD have Tetralogy of Fallot
• 10-11% born with CHD have Transposition of the Great Arteries
• 14-16% born with CHD have Ventricular Septal Defects

(Peyton had a Complete Atrioventricular Canal Defect, a more common defect in children with Down's Syndrome, but rare in otherwise healthy children)

•  Although some babies will be diagnosed during gestation or at birth, sometimes the diagnosis is not made until days, weeks, months, or even years after. In some cases, CHD is not detected until adolescence or adulthood. Source: March of Dimes
• It is a proven fact that the earlier CHD is detected and treated, it is more likely the affected child will survive and have less long term health complications. Source: March of Dimes

Peyton was diagnosed with CAVC at 1 week old. Even with all the ultrasounds I had done while I was pregnant, her heart condition was never detected.

We made it!

All the kids got metals for completing the 5K!

Time to rest!

Bounce house was a hit!

We had 2 VERY tired girls!

Please begin to pray for our team as we work towards our fundraising goals for next year of $6,000! Pray to about how you would like to be involved as well! Whether it be donating money, just being there for support or walking the 5K, we want everyone to be a part of it! Like I said, I want to have a HUGE team there next year!




Much Love!




(team shirts designed by Cyndie Schmidt, printed by Smokin' Feathers Embroidery)