Congenital heart disease touches the lives of many families. On Sunday morning, hundreds of people participated in the Hope for Little Hearts Run/Walk to raise money and awareness for the disease, and more specifically the Childrens’ Heart Society.
“It’s a not for profit organization that helps support the cardiac families that come through the Stollery and that live in the local region,” explained Kerri Paine, Race Director.
More than 600 people gathered in Rundle Park Sunday morning, to take part in the first annual event.
Kaleigh Hiemstra and her husband Kassidy took part in the walk. Their 11-month-old daughter Reese was born with congenital heart disease. Reese has gone through a number of surgeries in her young life and her parents say raising awareness for the disease is extremely important because it affects more people than some might think.
“People don’t realize how many little babies are born with these severe heart problems. I think the statistic is one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect,” said Kaleigh.
Participants raised just under $40,000, which will all go towards the Childrens’ Heart Society to help families once they leave the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
“Once these children become stable and they’re able to be discharged and go home, the family is now required to take care of this child that had 24 hour medical attention at the Stollery, and with no medical experience, for that parent that can be very intimidating. So, we like to create support groups to help those parents learn to live with their children and how to support them best,” explained Paine.
The society also creates support groups for the children, to meet others with congenital heart disease so they know they’re not alone.
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