Dawsonshire

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

Into the New Year!

So it’s been a while since the last post. I realize my folks have been slacking a little what with the holidays, 3 weeks of snow, massive flooding, and the tornado. OK, so the snow and floods are the big guy’s doing but the tornado is me.

These days I spend lots of time running around the house, taking every book, toy, DVD, and tupperware lid out of it’s designated spot. I carry them around a bit and then leave them wherever. We’re working on the “can you put that back where it come from” thing. I just act like I don’t really get it.

Mom and Dad went away over night for new year’s. I am sure they didn’t have nearly the fun that I had with Grandmom and Grandad. I had a hat and confetti. They mentioned something about it being New Year’s in New York and then I went to bed. I slept through the neighbor’s fireworks and the shouting “fire in the hole!”

I only have a few resolutions for 2009. The big one, maybe give up the pacifier in the crib. Right now I only have it at night and sometimes in the car but I’m thinking that’s one vice I could do without.

Did I tell you that I got a big boy table and chairs for Christmas? Oh yeah, ever since I got it…that high chair is history.

We’re approaching the big 1 year anniversary of my open heart surgery coming up here in March. Get ready – We’re going to P-Hearty!!!

Word to ya mutha,

KJ

Updated – A clean bill of health & a call to action…

Keanon has been given a clean bill of health for an entire year! What a huge milestone! [insert huge sigh of relief with a few joyful tears here].

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the online petition:

  “Petition to invest in Congenital Heart Defect Research”

hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:

  http://www.PetitionOnline.com/chdhelp1/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might
agree, too.  If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider
signing yourself.

Keanon went through his gamut of tests again yesterday. The results – his hole is not only patched but has now fused entirely closed to where there is no sign of leakage. 

KJ was a trooper in his echo – it’s certainly different from 8 months ago when he was tested every 3 weeks and he laid there, calmy, while the tech did his work. This time it was a wrestling match with mom where in many cases, he won. He’s soooooooooooooo strong! The results were worth the match though.

Posting a few pics from DFR08 – Dawson Family Retreat 2008 – to the San Juans. We had a fantastic time. We spent 4 days with great weather, lots of adventure (including some fishing attempts – see below), and ultimate relaxation!

This Thanksgiving we are thankful for our friends, family, and good health. 

From Dawsonshire, Happy Thanksgiving to you all!