The Mended Hearts Inc

My visit by a Mended Heart individual gave me hope and help in understanding the issues I would face with heart failure and to let me know I was going to be better. I was not ready for a Heart issue and therefore not prepared for the challenge of where and what was going to affect my like. Mended Heats gave me the opportunity to talk to other people and find help and knowledge about my heart. I could go to their web page or just read about issues with their free information. It is the reason I am a proud supporter of the organization.

I am proud of this organization that brings hope to heart patients around the world. Peer to peer support is a much-needed resource that helps patients cope and provides comfort when they feel most alone. Mended Hearts strives to make a difference and I have enjoyed being a part of that for over two years.

I have become familiar with the Mended Hearts, Inc. over the last two years. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of all of those affected by Heart Disease and works hard to support others through education, support Groups and Advocacy. This volunteer-driven organization focuses on the human connection between heart patients and caregivers and provides valuable positive experiences!

I joined MHI in 2007, two years after my son was born with a congenital heart defect. Before finding MHI, I had not had the privilege of connecting with other heart families like ours. MHI has provided my family support during the hard times when I didn't know if I could get through it. In person support meetings and group activities allowed me to meet and make connections with others going through similar situations. These interactions have resulted in life long friends. This organization has allowed my son to be connected with other kids like him and it has allowed our family to give back in so many ways.

This organization has been an incredible tool while I and my family have been navigating the world of Congenital Heart Defects.
The support, education, and advocacy provided has prompted me to pay it forward and volunteer.

I am proud to volunteer with MHI. My daughter was diagnosed 8 years ago with congenital heart defects. I would never have made it through without the peer to peer support provided by MHI.

I joined Mended Hearts in December 1996 after quadruple bypass surgery.
I became an accredited visitor so that I could visit heart patients and their families Over the years (25) I became more active in the organization as Mended Hearts was keeping me alive.
The support is necessary to a patient and of course their family. '
I realized that support in any way is definitely a great help. In fact, in 2000 I lost my wife, and believe it or not, Mended Hearts was there for me again.
What a great asset to patients and their families.

At age 47 I had quintuple heart bypass surgery, only to discover that I had a genetic lipid condition called lipoprotein(a). I was married, had a house and a young son. I was very active playing softball and ice hockey. I coached my son's baseball team. I enjoyed travel, cooking and enjoyed food and wine from all over the world.
I worried about what my life would be like. Could I coach my son's team? Go back to playing sports? Would it affect my ability to work?
A couple days after surgery, 2 Mended Hearts representatives came into my room and we had a conversation that helped me answer some of these questions. More importantly, they gave me HOPE that my life could be joyful and fruitful even after heart surgery. The Mended Hearts representatives, were great examples of returning to the activities they loved, surfing and skating. I went back to playing ice hockey one year after my heart surgery.
Mended Hearts gave me hope and motivation to get back to a fruitful life. I decided to pay forward the "gift" I received from Mended Hearts. I joined the organization, received my training and began visiting with heart patients. Visiting with patients has been one of the most fulfilling activities in my life.
I'm very grateful that I was introduced to Mended Hearts. It has changed my life.
Rob

I am proud to be a part of The Mended Hearts, Inc. and look forward to serving for many years to come. Heart disease has been very prevalent in my family, including myself. As a heart transplant recipient, I am honored to have the opportunity to pay it forward by supporting heart patients and their families when they need support and reasons for hope the most. We, The Mended Hearts, Inc., are unique as our organization provides peer-to-peer support for heart patients, their families, and caregivers. I believe in our mission and all we do whole heartedly! Learn more about us at www.mendedhearts.org. Everyone has a heart, and we are here for you!

After open-heart surgery in 2016, a Mended Hearts Accredited Visitor came to my hospital room with information and a desire to listen to my fears and concerns. She inspired me not only to heal, but to help others. There is no substitute for peer support when you are on such a journey. The work MHI does to help heart patients and their families is unmatched.

Great organization member 25 years added to my life

Robert Hoffman
Northeast regional Director

Mended Hearts has provided me with a source for support and direction. I can find information on their web site where I can focus my question about my health. the ability to interact on a local level with other heart individual has given me the confidence to continue my desire for a healthy lifestyle.

When I was blindsided by a diagnosis of congenital heart disease in my newborn son, Mended Little Hearts was there for me. I was comforted by the thought that I wasn't alone. I can't imagine that I would have been able to manage the journey without this organization. 13 years later I'm still a part of the greatest support organization for heart disease. Giving back to others now who are faced with the same journey.

I've worked with Mended Hearts in various capacities for more than a decade. I've long admired the organization's vision, creativity, and stamina. More than all that though are the people who comprise the organization. They embody hope and courage. If you are looking for someone to lift you up and inspire you, join Mended Hearts. Professionally speaking, I always felt it was a tremendous privilege to work with Mended Hearts. Now it is an honor to be one of them.

The ability to have someone listen to you and give you hope is something that cannot be described in words. When you have a visit from someone that has been in your same situation and can help to get you from a dark place, it is a gift. I was the patient, but my wife was also in need to information and support. Mended Hearts give us the positive hope and help we needed at the right time .

I am a caregiver of a heart patient. Mended Hearts provided my husband the support he needed. We couldn't have completed the recovery without Mended Hearts.

I joined Mended Hearts 24yers ago.
I needed support and landed up finding a home.
I became an accredited visitor and have been visiting patients for the past 24years.
It was my lifesaver and so glad that I got involved on the local level and the national level on the board of directors.
I live my life as the motto states. "it's great to be alive and to help others".

I was 6 months post heart transplant when I heard about Mended Hearts while doing my exercises at Cardiac Rehab. I spoke with the head nurse about this program because I felt there should be a support group for heart patients. About a week later I met with the local president and due to unknown circumstances I became president. I have moved and became president at my local Mended Hearts Chapter. I recommend this nonprofit organization for all heart patients and their caregivers.

I had a heart transplant in 2010. When I recovered and felt able to do things, I came across an ad in the paper about, a program about heart problems. So I went and felt so good to have found this organization. It was what I was looking for. Mended Hearts was to help other patients to get through surgery and courage and help other heart patients, sent I had a new heart and given a second chance in live this was what I needed. I've been with them for 10 years now, been on the board must off them now I'm President of our local Chapter. I love everything about it. It is very rewarding. If you or going through any heart procedures or problems, you need to check us out. We are all volunteers. We've been there, we know what you are going through and understand where you are. We have educational program to keep us informed on new procedures, Doctor talks on new way of doing things, keep us up on nutrition, any thing on new way of doing thing about medical issues. This is what Mended Hearts is all about. ” It's Great to be Alive and Help Other”

The staff is really concerned about effective communication. They have doctors and specialists put on great webinars. When possible they have local meetings which I hope will resume this fall. Great organization.

Because of Mended Hearts and a visit while hospitalized for open heart bypass surgery, I found a reason to live. Until that one visit I felt I was doomed to die too young and be unhealthy for whatever time I had left. That visitor took the time to tell me I could live healthy and have a long life after a heart attack and bypass surgery. He told me he had the same thing 27 years before, and he was doing great. I was overcome with shock and then hope and then a will to survive, recover and regain a healthy life. Now I am a member of a local chapter of the Mended Hearts, and I will always be thankful for this organization and its help and encouragement given every day!

Mended Hearts gives hope to heart patients who have few other places to turn for support. Heart disease is the number one killer in America yet friends and family so often understand little about it or the emotional pain it inflicts on its victims. Mended hearts is heart patients helping other heart patients deal with the trauma and the shock of heart disease.

My story started in 2007 at the age of 72 with open heart surgery which resulted in replacing the mitral valve with a porcine mitral valve. .
Step forward to 2016. Had an irregular heart beat and could not take a blood thinner. A Watchman Device was inserted in me left atrial appendage to close it off.
Forward to 2018. The porcine mitral valve was failing. During the process of determining what could be done to fix this problem I had a blood infection which went to Sepsis.
After overcoming this the Cardiologist placed a Tri Catheter valve in the Porcine Mitral Valve. I am 85 and still walking and talking
In 2008, I became an accredited visitor. I must say this was a great decision. As I always feel better and more positive every time after visiting patients than before going in to visit.

I first learned about Mended Hearts in May 2018, three months after my heart attack and emergency quintuple bypass surgery. I almost immediately got very actively involved on the blog, discussing a myriad of issues and concerns voiced by Mended Hearts members, developed nice relationships with a number of my fellow members, people with whom I easily could call my friends, and one particular friendship with someone on the other side of the continent.

It has been a wonderful experience sharing thoughts, feelings, problems, advice and experience with this group of men and women who all have undergone experiences similar to mine.

Thank you, Mended Hearts, for bring me together with my brothers and sisters.

Ira Reid

After having a heart attack, and being worried, I was introduced to Mended Hearts by a brochure which had been left at the local cardiac rehab site. I contacted the group, attended a meeting, and became involved.
I have become more active, as I was impressed by their mission, and the assistance they provided.

On Nov. 2 2005I had a CABGx2+AVR at the Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco. Two days prior to me surgery an MH Volunteer Visited me. When we finished our conversation I was far more relaxed about the procedures. Prior to my discharge, an MHI Visitor came by again. We discussed what to do to sleep comfortably. How to navigate chores around my home. All in all my experience with MI was so very positive. Shortly after discharge, I became an Accredited Visitor. Eventually started Chapter372 in Charlotte NC, and eventually became an ARD in The Mid-Atlantic Region a position I cherish an hold to this day.

I had triple bypass 12 years ago and daughter was born with birth defect and has had 4 major surgeries. MLH in our area started years after we went through the process but it would have helped only person in our area with similar experience passed away. So the interaction with someone else would have helped. Now I help with MH as a visitor to help others see that heart surgery doesn't mean the end.

Very helpful organization and gave valuable advice and comfort after my heart surgery.

Being a volunteer with Mended Hearts has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Being able to share my experience and knowledge with new heart patients is extremely important in the recovery process. Knowing someone that has been through it and that can show and share their story gives patients confidence, hope, and a positive outlook on their recovery. I feel very fortunate, lucky, and blessed that Mended Hearts has allowed me to be part of their wonderful organization.

I love the Facebook messages of questions that connect me to others during quarantine. They also have a great magazine with articles to help me stay healthy

Very good cause that helps patients and families cope with cardiac issues.

My husband, a retired fireman, suffered a massive heart attack, had bypass surgery, then 2 sents, along with a couple of heart attacks and tia's. After his death, I realized I had undiagnosed heart issues when I had a heart attack, tia, and a stroke. Subsequently, I have had a Watchman, Loop Recorder and pacemaker implanted. I am so thankful for the support of all of my fellow Mended Hearts folks, as well as the medical professionals who generously give heart-related presentations at our monthly meetings. I am very grateful that I am able to continue my heart-related and Mended Hearts Accredited Visitor training, volunteering, and speaking with other Peace Health Hospital heart patients in ICU, 4th-floor general heart patients, and Cardiac Rehab, as well as phone visiting. Mended Hearts has given me wonderful friends, and has given me hope, confidence, valuable knowledge, and most of all, gratitude for being able to give back by volunteering. Mended Hearts has been my lifeline.

as a former 5 cabg patient i cannot say enough about this group. one of the best organizations ever invented!

They are a wonderful support and information source for anyone that has had a cardiac event at any age. They are also a support/source for a family member or caregiver of a client served.

It is a great support group for heart related patients. The org. Provides information, through meetings, personal visits , and Speakers. I had quadruple bypass surgery 20 years ago
, so I am able to share my experiences and give hope to fellow heart procedure recipients.

I had the pleasure of working with Mended Little Hearts in San Antonio, TX. We had families who came from three different children's hospitals to be part of this support group. Kids enjoyed being together for fun activities and parents expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with other families dealing with congenital heart conditions.

On Dec. 22, 2007 out home caught on fire, while the fire was been fought I had a heart attack an was taken to the hospital. Surgery was scheduled for Dec. 26th. On Christmas day a Mended Hearts accredited visitor came in the visit and encourage me, they also came back to see me while I was recovering on the heart floor. The fact that someone who did not know me care enough to take time to visit and encourage me had a very positive effect on me. The knowledge that I have received for health care professionals presenting at the monthly Mended Hearts local meeting has help me become educated and active in my health care deacons. My life is better because both the medical care I got and the support I received from Mended Hearts. As the Mended Hearts moto says "it is great to be alive and to help others". Is it time for all of us to help each other? I think so!

THANKS to everyone who keeps the Mended Hearts online support community going! Heart surgery, as my cardiologist says "is a BIG operation". Thanks to heart surgery survivors who post supportive comments, I was able to go through with my second heart operation. Thanks to the web n r presenters, I know much more about cardiac medicines (statins and beta blockers) and how to better face my heart disease (coronary artery or CAD). THANK YOU again and again Mended Hearts!

The Pillow
By
Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow
Published in My Gift of Now
It all happened so fast. My husband Richard Aleskow went for a check-up with a new internist. This very astute and caring doctor took the time to check my husband’s new EKG with the one my husband took the year before which had been in his records. He took the time. He told Richard that he saw a slight change and wanted to check it out. An echo stress test was scheduled. The doctor called that afternoon and told us Richard must have an angiogram. The results of that procedure indicated that bypass surgery was required. Just like that! The surgeon told us that Richard was the type of man he worried about because he had no symptoms. He said that one day he could have been exercising or walking down the street and it would have suddenly been all over. The bypass surgery was scheduled for November 15th, 2006. That was the most frightening day of my life. My husband was the picture of health as I kissed him good luck and they rolled him into surgery. The next time I saw him in the ICU was a very different scenario. Anyone who has seen a loved one after bypass will understand. I do not think there was one area of his body that did not have tubes in it. He was swollen from the surgery. But he had come through it. He needed a quadruple bypass. The next days in Intensive Care were agonizing. The patient has one reality of suffering and his loved one has another. Watching my husband go through the suffering of this entire ordeal ripped me apart as well. When he was transferred to the cardiac floor, I remained with him in the hospital for the remainder of his stay. I slept on a window seat, which doubled as a so-called bed for relatives who wanted to stay overnight. I was determined that I would not walk out the door of that hospital without my husband at my side. One day a volunteer walked in holding a large red pillow that was shaped as a heart. The wording on the pillow said “Mended Hearts” with a picture of a heart with a jagged line running through it. This organization was made up of men and women who had gone through bypass surgery. It was necessary for a patient to hold a pillow when coughing in order to control the pain. When we came home from the hospital days before my husband’s birthday, I told him that I wanted to have a few family and friends over for a short time to share his birthday cake. He got tired very easily and I wanted him to be comfortable. He sat there that night holding his mended hearts pillow close to his chest to help with the pain. Months later when Richard was in Rehab and doing quite well, I asked him if he would mind my putting the red pillow away because it did not go with the colors of our den. He looked at me for what seemed a long time and answered that although the color was not coordinated with our decor, that pillow reminded him of what he went through and survived. I never mentioned removing it again. A year later, Richard got an excellent health check-up report from his cardiologist. What a different day that was a year later. To say that I am grateful to that internist, is the understatement of my lifetime.
Years later Richard decided he wanted to give back to the organization that helped him. He volunteered for the Mended Hearts Program and took the training. He visited cardiac patients at the same hospital he had been in and distributed to them the special pillows while visiting them in their rooms.
The red pillow sits prominently on our couch as a reminder of our infinite good luck and Richard’s determination to live positively, stay well and give back to others.

We've enjoyed partnering with Mended Heart in both health education and advocacy efforts to help older adults understand the importance of early detection and intervention in atrial fibrillation and heart valve disease. They are an awesome organization!

I had a triple by pass 22 yrs ago.During my hospital
stay I was visited by a Mended Hearts member who
introduced me to the organization.
After my release from the hospital I joined the local
chapter and ultimately became an accredited visitor.
The mission of Mended Hearts is extremely important.
There is a great need for the interaction of Heart patients and survivors

Though outstanding peer-to-peer support, Mended Hearts volunteers prepared me for life after my heart event and stroke. I was able to prepare for the changes that would come, and understand why medicine adherence was so important. Great organization!

Organization has helped me help other heart patients. It has given me the tools to further help my heart.

After my valve replacement surgery I was getting conflicing information. The Palm Springs area Mended Hearts Chapter helped me get answers by affording me the opportunity to network with other survivors and listen to expert speakers. - Lance Frank, Realtor 760-610-9282 Broker Lic# 01785371

As a parent of a child with.a complex congenital heart defect, I am forever grateful for what Mended Little Hearts has provided to our family. We are members of our local chapter and participate in various volunteer activities such as the Heart Walk and the Hospital Visitor Program. We also attend the conferences throughout the US and have found them extremely educational. We participate in the webinars as well. We have come to rely on this great organization so much and appreciate all that you do!!

Provides support and links to others going through the same thing. Makes you feel like you’re not alone.

Mended Hearts was and is a great source of comfort during my time of need and throughout the passing years.

I had my first surgery in May 2003. I received a bi-ventricular pacemaker/defibrillator. The technology was less that 5 years old. There was no Mended Hearts in our area. When the chapter was established in 2008, I was already on my 3rd device. I was taking care of my fiance, who had metastatic melanoma. When he died, I was totally lost and very depressed. I attended one meeting, met some of the other members, and the rest is history. Mended Hearts literally saved my life. I became very active as a visitor, knowing what it was like to not have someone to talk to about what was about to happen to them. Just like what happened to me when I received my first device. I encourage others to become involved in Mended Hearts. It a very worthwhile organization for heart patients and their caregivers.

I’ve been a member of Mended Hearts Atlanta and Orlando for over 5 years and simply love this organization and the wonderful people I’ve known over the years. The national and state chapter leaderships bring so much value to its members and surrounding communities with education programs, support, compassion and inclusion. When I was first diagnosed with T2D and CAD, Mended Hearts members embraced me and helped me learn about managing my conditions by including me in education programs with physicians and nurses, nutrition and fitness experts and help with medication management. Mended Hearts is like family. Thank you Mended Hearts for helping me to be able to help others improve their cardiovascular health. You are a necessary community partner for patients living with cardiovascular disease.

I didn't get to hear hear about Mended Hearts till after my second CABG so contrasted the two recoveries the second I recovered mentally so much better. My experiences with this group always have been uplifting.

While I have been blessed not to have needed surgery I have family members who have as well as a family who have a history of heart diseases for that reason I'm involved with Mended Heart because they have a wealth of heart information that is helpful and priceless to everyone who comes in contact with Mended Hearts organization. I would recommend Mended Hearts to anyone I meet , proud to be a member

Mended Hearts is an non-profit organization that highly benefits everyone with Heart Disease. We provide education of new heart procedures, new medications but most of all we provide Mended Heart visitors who visit heart patients in the hospital to guide them through the recovery stage. Heart patients in the hospital need peer to peer support to get through their recovery and to put their family at ease. Mended Hearts makes a huge difference during our hospital visits and follow up phone calls.

On a day in a hospital bed after a heart bypass surgery, when I had no visitor, Mended Hearts sent me one to cheer me up. He was a kind soul who shared with me his own story of heart disease, surgery, recovery and how he had been encouraged by a Mended Hearts volunteer. It made me feel less alone that day, and strengthened my hope to return to my world as a whole person. The experience compelled me to become a visiting volunteer myself.Thanks Mended Hearts.

I was asked to join Mended Hearts by a friend after heart survey. I quickly learned how great an organization this was for support for myself. I met people who had heart procedures and were living a great life. Since that time, I have been helping others find Mended Hearts could help them. I am president of my local chapter and my caregiver (wife) is the secretary. Together we have been spreading the word about Mended Hearts.

Mended Little Hearts has helped me connect with others who are travelling similar paths with their children's congenital heart defects - and it is not an easy road to travel. Having others who understand the challenges and with whom I can celebrate our children means so much. I also appreciate the opportunity to give back to our community.

I am a part of the Mended Little Hearts group (part of Mended Hearts) and they have been instrumental in my healing process. To have a support group like this is key in getting families the help they need. Without them I would not be coping as well as I am today. This group means the world to me and I hope it can continue to help others in the way it has helped me.

I am very grateful for Mended Hearts. I wish I had found them earlier on in my journey, they might have saved me many tears. I have met some wonderfully supportive people that are walking the same journey if not even more challenging then me. I have learned through others that it is possible to overcome and get used to my "new normal". Having a supportive network of others and opportunities to learn more about my condition is healing in itself. Thank you to those volunteers and all who make this possible.

My two girls were born with congenital heart conditions. We felt blessed to have a great hospital and people to help us through. After that, I became a mended hearts volunteer. This is a wonderful and well needed organization that helps many in tough times.

As the parent of a child with a complex congenital heart defect, MH/MLH has helped me find hope for my daughter's future and not feel alone in this journey as the parent of a medically complex child. The advice, understanding and support I have received as a result of both Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts is invaluable.

My husband and I have been a member of Mended Hearts since 2015. That was the year Arthur had his open heart surgery. Since then the organization has been a significant part of our lives. He learned so much from the meetings. Now Arthur is a visitor. He visits the heart patients at Sharp Hospital to give them support after their life changing event. I, as a supporter, learned many things that helped me understand what to do to help Art in his recovery. Mended Hearts has added so much to our lives.

When I had my triple bypass I had no support system.Going to rehab helped but I needed more. Two years later I found MENDED Heart, for me it was a lifesaver. I could not only get my concerns answered I could get it from people that had undergone the same process. It didn’t take for me to become a certified Hospital visitor and I was on my way. I not only had a group to share my experience with I also had a source for feedback. The biggest surprise was that in visiting patients in the hospital it was much more rewarding than I had ever imagined. Yes,Mended Hearts was a real Lifesaver, it put me onto a much Healthier and Happier lifestyle.

I h ad open heart surgery three years ago and was visited by Mended Hearts in my hospital room during recovery. They stressed the need for Cardiac Rehab during my recovery at home and told me about their monthly meetings where I could learn more about the developments in treating heart disease and what I should know about the disease going forward in my life. I am now 82 years young and a Mended Hearts Certified Visitor myself, calling on patients (all types) at my local hospital once a week. I still go to Cardiac Rehab for exercise 2-3 times a week and feel better than I did at 65. Thank you, Mended Hearts for showing me the way to live well and enjoy the rest of my life!!! Lee S.

Great organization that helps so many! I've seen so many people inspired and given hope through the efforts of this organization.

The Mended Hearts, Inc is a wonderful organization with great people. I have been a member for over 17 years. I joined shortly after my 4 way bypass surgery. We visit patients in the hospital who have had a cardiac event. We guide them through their recovery process. We also have monthly support group meetings with great speakers to help others. I encourage others to give us a try.

I had open heart surgery 26 years ago. In the hospital I was visited by a member of Mended Hearts who answered many questions regarding what I could expect in the future. He also assured me that “there is a lot of life left after heart surgery “.
Over the years I have witnessed Mended Hearts visitors offering hope to many heart patients.

Mended Hearts/Mended Little Hearts is an incredible organization. Trained volunteers here in the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia region (as is true throughout the nation) contribute thousands of hours of their time each year to provide emotional support and "a shoulder to lean on" to patients and families during their heart journey. It's so moving to work with volunteers whose sole goal is to help heart patients and their families "at the patient bedside," during monthly support group meetings, online and in other settings.

One of our great volunteers (himself a recovering heart patient with a full, active life) perhaps said it best: "I visited 15 patients in the hospital today. They all said they were so glad to see me and talk for a few minutes. But I have to say truthfully, that as a patient visitor, I received as much back from them as they received from ME ! It's so humbling to play a small part in their recovery."

I have had the privilege to work with many exceptionally loving and caring people through Mended Hearts. These volunteers and members span many age groups, yet they work together to provide support and education for heart patients in their communities and across the country. Their stories are inspiring! Heart patients, or their families, who are going through trying physical and emotional stresses can find solace and comfort through seeing or speaking by phone with others who have come through similar conditions. Parents and children with congenital heart disease speak with other families and find emotional support and understanding. Educational seminars, brochures, and other materials embolden patients to become their own advocate when speaking with medical professionals. Also, by learning more about heart disease, these members in turn become a support for others. Because of Mended Hearts, patients and their families will not be alone as they face life-altering heart conditions.

I am a coronary artery by pass surgery survivor. Following my surgery I was visited and given a heart pillow by an accredited Mended Hearts visitor. That visit opened the door to a long term relationship with Mended Hearts. I joined my local Mended Hearts chapter shortly after surgery and have been an active member since that time. I credit Mended Hearts for helping me stay heart healthy through the ongoing support and heart health education they provide. I am now an accredited Mended Hearts visitor and have the opportunity to offer other heart patients the same kind of support and education opportunities that i received.

Mended Hearts is such an amazing organization who has helped me through my journey for the past 9 years. Being a part of a community that understands and "gets me" is so important to me. I love that I can be empowered to make a difference in the lives of others and be able to serve a mission that I love through Mended Hearts. I have worked with so many others who feel the same and I have watched people's live be changed by peer-to-peer support.

I have taken part in their yearly symposiums and recently became involved in my local chapter as well. They are an amazing resource for information and support and do a great deal for CHD patients and families. This organization is a real lifesaver!

MLH is an amazing organization run by wonderful people that make a huge difference in the CHD community. The support and friendship you receive from other heart families is lifesaving during difficult times. There is no other CHD support organization like MLH

Mended Little Hearts, has been a great help to our family. June 19th we found out our 3rd daughter would be born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which would mean she would need at least 3 Open Heart Surgeries. Well Trinity Aurora was born on August 23, 2013 which was 3 weeks early, and was the day President Obama was in Binghamton, so we joke that she had to come and tell him to go back to Kenya LOL. She had her Open heart surgery at 5 days old. Soon after surgery she ended up with a Yeast Infection that a week later turned into a STAFF Infection, so she has been fighting those for 4 weeks now.

We are been at Strong Memorial Hospital since Aug. 24, 2013 and there is a Mended Little Hearts group that meets right here in the hospital every Wed. for coffee hour at 3pm. They are also having a family day on Oct. 20, 2013 from 1 to 3pm at a horse farm, which will be really fun. Any questions we have they have been able to answer, and its nice just having other families to relate to.

Mended Little Hearts is an amazing organization for many reasons. I learned about MLH when my son was about a year old and had already undergone two heart procedures. I was blessed to know my family was not alone. After learning about this wonderful organization for 3+ years I've run my own chapter in Chicago and recently had a very scary and unexpected hospital stay with my son. It was an amazing feeling to know that after years for helping out heart families, I was the one receiving the support, love and care from the families who really understand. You will never feel alone facing CHD! Support, awareness and advocacy for CHD all in one place

After the birth of my second heart son, and feeling ALL ALONE..... I decided that I needed to do something for heart families and let them know they are NOT ALONE. Shortly after my decision, I was introduced to Mended Little Hearts- and what it offers families with heart kiddos. I said "THIS IS IT". I took the bull by the horns and started a MLH chapter in my local hometown of Appleton. I met so many heart families, I educated them on living with heart children, I opened the eyes of the community to what CHD means, and I let everyone know they are NOT ALONE! Although I made a difference in my community, I helped other heart families, I spread awareness to physicians, elected officials and the general public- nothing can TOP what MLH did for MY heart and for my family. It helped me "heal" while helping other!! Mended Little Hearts is a great non-profit that I am honored to say "I am a part of"! HOPE~HELP~HEALING~

Mended little hearts has been with our family every step of the way since our son was born in May of 2012 with a CHD. When you have a baby that is sick and in the hospital it really helps to find other families that have gone through similar situations and just talk to them. It makes life a little easier when families can map our journey and have some of the same doctors and can tell us what did and didn't work for them. The events are great for the families to get together, for siblings to play together and to talk to different doctors and get involved in the community. There is just so much support!

My son was born with a heart defect and I wanted to find others (parents and adults with heart defects) that I could talk to. I found Mended Little Hearts online and was so excited to find a caring community of people that knew what I was going through. The support and advice we have received have been so helpful!

Until you have a child with CHD you cant possibly understand what it is like. Mended Little Hearts has been a huge support for me for the past 7 years. My son has had 2 open heart surgeries and I couldnt have gotten through it without other CHD moms.

I am mom to two children with congenital heart defects. For many years, after my first CHD child was born, I asked our cardiologists and nurses for support group information, and was told there was nothing in our area. After the birth of my second CHD child 10 years later, I began looking outside of our region and seeking assistance on a national level. Mended Little Hearts offers wonderful connections and educational programs, as well a great guidelines for providing support to other famiies. We now have a Mended Little Hearts group in our area, and I am so very happy with the love, answers, and support they provide!

Dana

My son was born with TOF and we had no idea until he was 2 days old. At the time I did not know about this group. We did not have a local chapter. I felt so alone. I did find this group when he was 2 and became a member and we now have a local chapter. This group not only provides me with support, but has connected me with families that I am able to show support to. The amount of information they make available is amazing. MLH is a part of my life now and I couldn't it without them.

When our son was born in 2009 with a complex and life-threatening congenital heart, this organization connected with other families who had children with the same diagnosis. This connection provided us with much needed encouragement and hope as we began our journey. It was due to this experience and connection with other heart parents in our area, that we started our own local group, which is part of this national organization.

At 2.5 months we found out my son has tetralogy of fallot, pulmonary atresia, multiple collateral pulmonary arteries, and a cleft tricuspid. He has had 2 open heart surgeries and has been in the or 7 times. We spent 86 days in the PICU at strong memorial hospital. Mended little hearts helped us a lot throughout the process. Without Mended Little Hearts we wouldn't know half of what we do about my sons condition.

I am currently 30 weeks pregnant with a baby girl and at 20 weeks we found out she has a critical congenital heart defect. She only has a single ventricle, pulmonary atresia, tricuspid atresia, ventricular septal defect, and transposition of the great arteries. Before our diagnosis, I had never heard of any of these conditions, and then I found out that nearly 1 out of every 110 live births is a baby with some form of CHD. Mended Little Hearts is an organization that does so much for raising awareness, research, and giving families of children affected by CHD so much hope.