Somebody has to blog around here.
A shot of our snowmobile adventure over New Year’s. Lots of fun.
..and Mr KJ working hard outside.
Happy Spring – Hoppy Easter!
So it’s been a while since I’ve done a shout out to my peop’s! My parents have been so busy what with some better weather for yard work, mom getting a promotion (woot, woot!) and all of the wrap that was required after my big heart party.
On March 21st my parents hosted a bash to mark the 1 year anniversary from my open heart surgery. It was awesome! I got to see so many people and the best part of all is that we raised over 7K for the Heart Research Guild. That means $$’s going direct to my heart buddies and the Dr.’s at Seattle Children’s Hospital. That rocks! I think everyone one I know has learned a little something about Congenital Heart Defects too! So a special shout out goes to all of you who donated in honor of me. I’m a little guy with a big cause and am soooooooooooo amazed at your support. Thank you!
So – anyhoo…1 year ago I was recovering and could hardly do anything. This year, I’m a renegade, tornado, outdoors man, riding my tractor, digging in the dirt, commanding my army of pugs across the lawn and exhausting everyone in my family with all of my energy!
This weekend I am looking forward to spending more time with my BFF, my cousin Chelsea, and I plan to dominate on the easter egg hunt that Grandmom and Grandad are coordinating. I already know those plastic eggs will have my favorite fish crackers in them.
Time to gear up for my mid morning “nack!”
Giving you virtual knuckles (my new thing that’s way cooler than giving a high 5).
~ KJ
VSD Extravaganza!!
Keanon James Dawson was born in August of 2007 with a congenital heart defect known as Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), commonly called a “hole in the heart”. At six months old in March 2008, Keanon underwent successful open heart surgery at Seattle Childrens Hospital to repair the VSD. Today, he is a healthy and vibrant toddler. This procedure—made possible by many years of research in pediatric cardiology—gave Keanon a second chance at life!
This month we are celebrating Keanon’s recovery, but with the most challenging part of Keanon’s heart journey behind us, we want to support other children born with congenital heart defects and their families and doctors. Our mission is to raise funds for the Seattle Children’s Heart Guild and do our part to raise awareness.
Facts about Congenital Heart Defects
- Congenital heart defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related infant deaths in the U.S.
- On average 40,000 babies are born in the U.S. each year with a congenital heart defect.
- Over 35 types of CHD have been identified.
- The causes of congenital heart defects are poorly understood.
Information about Seattle Children’s Heart Research Guild
The Children’s Heart Research Guild was established in 2008 by parents of children with congenital heart defects and diseases. We discovered that while heart defects are the leading cause of death in children under the age of 1, and occur in 1 out of every 100 births, research for pediatric heart defects is woefully under-funded compared to other childhood diseases.
The Heart Research Guild raises money for Children’s Research Institute (CRI), which is the research arm of Seattle Children’s Hospital. CRI has a very robust research support organization working to advance the body of knowledge and clinical practice for congenital heart diseases and defects through “bench” science projects and clinical research studies. They have been actively building their program, and it shows great promise.
For example, our doctors have identified the need to develop follow-up studies and treatments for neurological effects resulting from heart procedures, pulmonary bypass, and medications. Preliminary data indicate that long-term tracking of children’s outcomes is just as important as the primary surgical procedures. For this reason, programs monitoring progress and keeping data on CHD children as they grow up, urgently needs funding.
With your contribution, we can help to seed some of these projects!
- 100% of your contributions for Keanon’s celebration will go to CRI for congenital heart research.
- ALL the money given to CRI by the Heart Research Guild goes to research and not overhead costs.
- Donations to the Heart Research Guild are tax deductible.
- Make checks payable to Children’s Heart Research Guild.
- For tax deduction, be sure to fill out the contribution form and include it with your check.
- Leave a comment on this site and let us know you’ve donated so we can Thank You!!
- Send donations to:
Seattle Heart Research Guild
c/o Anita Marcelo, Treasurer
17403 139th Ave NE Woodinville, WA 98072
To read More About Keanon’s Heart Journey, Click here