Meet our Heart Heroes! Visit our Heart Hero Hall of Fame Page!
JAMES
James "Jamie" is enjoying being at home after a long-term hospital stay and he is thriving! His family is happy to have him home where he can continue to grow and steal more hearts with those baby blues!
SOPHIA
Before she was born, Sophia's parents were told that their daughter had heterotaxy syndrome, left Atrial Insomerism ( 2 left sides of a heart, no right side) vsd, avsd, and pulmonary stenosis. Doctors weren't able to provide hope, stating it was the worst form of heterotaxy and the baby will likely not survive in utero. They were advised to terminate the pregnancy. But there was no doubt in Sophia's mom's mind that her baby girl wouldn't survive. She could feel her strength inside her every single day!
Fast forward to November with Sophia born weighing 7lbs 8oz! She spent a week and half in CPCU and was cleared to go home with no medical intervention or assistance. Sophia's oxygen and heart rate stats have remained steady since birth as she continues to amaze all the doctors. It is uncommon for children with her anatomy to not need surgical intervention early on. Yet, all of Sophia's little wrongs in her heart are actually currently working to her benefit. Since she has remained stable, her parents have been able to allow her to grow and become stronger prior to open heart surgery. Sophia is scheduled to have a complete bi ventricular repair done this spring. VCF will keep this sweet hero and her loving parents in our thoughts. We are proud to welcome them into our community!
JAIANA
Jaiana was born with heart defects and had surgery on November 29, 2023. Her surgery repaired sections of her heart. Some complications developed and her discharge date was pushed back a few times.
Now, just a few weeks later, Jaiana is happy to be home from the hospital just in time for Christmas! Her mom and grandmother are thrilled too!
GORdON
Gordon was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome at 38.5 weeks gestation. He was delivered at Children’s Mercy Hospital and spent his first 3.5 months of life there before being discharged for the first time. He underwent three open-heart surgeries before the age of 4, among other procedures. He has battled lymphatic complications for two years following his last open-heart surgery, the F
Outside of the hospital walls, Gordon loves to farm, swim, draw, and go camping. He is a wonderful big brother and greatly enjoys spending time with his cousins. He’s an avid Royals and Chiefs fan, and has more country music lyrics memorized than many adults.
LEO
Leo was born with some very unexpected complications - a left pulmonary artery sling (one of his vessels developed wrapped around his trachea causing stenosis which severely compromised his ability to breathe) and an ASD & VSD (2 holes in his heart).
He was in respiratory distress at birth and required an emergent transfer shortly after to Boston Children's Hospital and was intubated on arrival. At 6 days old he underwent open heart surgery and an airway reconstruction. You could barely see him under all the wires, tubes, and drains when he got out of the operating room. Following surgery he had several severe complications that prolonged his
He made slow and steady progress and after 9 long weeks we finally returned to our home! He came home on a feeding tube, oxygen, and medications around the clock. However, he is a real fighter and has come so far! Every day is better! Nothing can stop this little guy!
NICO
Adorable Nico was born with multiple congenital heart defects; Tricuspid Atresia, SLL, TGA, an ASD and a VSD. He spent the first months of his life in the hospital and has already endured multiple surgeries. He struggled with holding food down but we are happy to report that he is now able to eat and loves bananas! Mom says that he loves his Big Brother even more! It is an honor for VCF to includ
ASHLEY
I'm Ashley and shortly after I was born I was diagnosed with Tetralogy of the Fallot. I was very fortunate to be under the care of CHOP as a child and Penn Hospital as an adult. I'm a school teacher and in the Fall of 2021 I became sick. Long story short, it was due to a tooth infection that I was not aware I had. As a result, the infection went to my melody valve and led to my Fifth Open Heart S
REYA
REYA
REYA
Reya was prenatally diagnosed with multiple critical congenital heart defects- double outlet right ventricle, tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic right ventricle, pulmonary stenosis, large muscular VSD, ASD and a very mild coarctation of the aorta. She was also born without a sternum! The combination of her extremely rare heart condition and her even more rare missing sternum, has never been documented in medical history.
REYA
REYA
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REYA
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Reya spent the first 7 months inpatient at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where she had 3 interventional heart catheterizations, one open heart surgery, one reconstructive chest surgery, survived an impeding cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock.
She’ll have another heart surgery around 3.5 to complete her single ventricle surgical pathway. In the meantime, she’s living quite a boisterous and happy life. If it weren’t for her zipper scar, you wouldn’t even know she had a heart defect- especially one as severe as hers!