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Dear (Contact First Name),
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November is a time to give thanks, reflect on all we have, and the experiences in our life. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the Metro Philly Chapter CHD Awareness Walk - Zach's Tracks (formerly known as Southern New Jersey). With IMH National having three walks behind our belts, I imagined many different scenarios and wondered how many people would attend this spectacular event on Saturday, September 26, 2009. The walk was in memory of Zachary Shafer, a precious boy who lost his fight to Congenital Heart Defects at just 8 months old in December of 2008. I'll never forget his mom Krissy Shafer, contacting IMH about starting a chapter as they were in the middle of Zachary's fight with CHD. Soon after, I received a very sad email informing me that he went to heaven. This of course brought up many personal memories and caused me to reflect as we made our drive from the hotel to the site of the walk. As I got out of the car and made my way towards the crowd decorated in red and white, chills consumed my body as I realized not even miles can separate our hearts. We are all connected in a very big way. It is mind boggling that something so tragic has become a source of hope and support for others. I wanted to freeze this moment in time and never forget it. We can agree that some memories are worth forgetting but in hindsight, we also have a lot to be thankful for.
IMH was planning our first walk in Houston, TX when tragically shortly after our first walk meeting, my son, Noah's life was claimed by his CHD at just 2 ½ years old. At the time, our focus was to have the "It's My Heart CHD Awareness Walk". Never in am million years would I have guessed that I would be preparing for our first walk and walking "in memory" of my son. With unforeseen circumstances and Noah dying so suddenly, the walk committee pulled together just days after Noah's death, and at the second walk meeting it was determined unanimously that the walk was going to be called "Noah's Legacy". This for me was very fitting and an honor, one I don't take lightly.
As we all gear up for our fourth walk, I challenge each you to find that inner strength to share your personal CHD story to not only gain support of this cause but spread awareness. Whether the story is yours, your child, a relative, a friend, a co-worker or an acquaintance, we are reminded daily why this cause is important in our lives. Without the many supporters and donations from past walks, IMH would not be able to financially sustain where it is today, having over 20 chapters and 10,000+ members and serving 25,000+ people to date annually. It is my personal goal that we not only fill 10,000+ Comfort Bags for hospitals but also pull together to continue education and support in our communities, so thousands more will have quality of life, and hope will be given to someone who had little or none. Please join us today and register for this event to continue the legacy of Noah and all CHD Warriors.
As you tell your story, you may just find that you too have many things to be thankful for on this difficult journey.
From the Heart,
Corrie Stassen
Executive Director |
| Annual Chapter Training for Officers |
 It's My Heart invest in each chapter with support and training. Each year, the officers come together for a time of training, fellowship, and team building.
If you are interested in joining the amazing group of officers around the nation, contact the chapter near you or consider starting a chapter in your area!
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Quote of the Month |
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away." |
| IMH Conference CDs |
A CD of the conference is available to purchase just $5! This price also includes shipping..
Thank you Keith Mabe for making it possible for those not able to attend to still gain all the wonderful insight and knowledge from the conference!
Contact info@itsmyheart.org for more information. | |
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| Heart Journey - Jackson Benham Reo |
 Heart Journey of Jackson Benham, as told by his mother, Autumn Reo.
It would be fitting that such an incredible little boy would chronicle his journey through holiday milestones. First, Chad and I learned we were expecting on my birthday. On Valentine's Day, we discovered we were having a wonderful son. Then on my husband's birthday, we were told that our firstborn had Pulmonary Atresia/IVS. Of course, we were shocked and completely unaware of the congenital heart defect terms we would learn about before Jackson was born on June 19, 2008. During the month before Jackson was born, we researched everything on his condition, both good and bad. We were trying to understand what type of life he would have and what challenges we would have as new parents. We armed ourselves with information, prepared for all the scenarios possible, and filled our hearts with hope as we began what was to be the happiest and scariest time of our lives, the birth of our son. Luckily, Jackson entered the world at more than 10 lbs. which made his next procedures easier. After an eighteen-hour labor and a five-hour rest, Jackson underwent a catheteriaztion procedure in hopes that he would only need a little help for his heart to work as normally as possible. Unfortunately, after almost two long and devastating weeks and increasingly low saturation points, it was determined that Jackson needed a BT shunt, two days before Independence Day. With the support of the Heart NICU team and a wonderful team of doctors including Dr. Kristine Guleserian, we were able to get through it and Jackson's heart healed. After about a week, we were able to bring home our son for the first time. Now eight months later and during our first CHD Week Awareness Week, our little boy has had the best diagnosis from his cardiologists. At one point we thought Jackson might need several surgeries to repair his heart. We have been very lucky so far. Jackson, depending on how he treats his heart as it grows, may need only the removal of his shunt and a valve replacement when he gets older. We are excited to know now that many more special holidays will be in store for Jackson Benham. If you have a heart journey you would like to share, please email your story to newsletter@itsmyheart.org |
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Dr. Heart to Heart |
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How do I deal with emotional stress of being stuck in my home with the fear of H1N1?
Moms and Dads can become very alienated when raising kids and not much exposure to other adults and activities that once were a part of their life.
1. Make the effort to get dressed everyday.
2. Communicate your feelings with others around you. Using precautions (asking before going out if anyone is feeling sick, hand washing, etc.), can allow you still an opportunity to still go out on a limited bases. Call a friend to go for coffee or walk in the mall or at a park. IMH can be a source of other parents with similar concerns and can be a great sounding board for your feelings!
3. Plan a special event. With a little creativity you can still have a special date indoors. Once the children are in bed, have a candle light dinner and watch a movie or play cards.
4. Exercise! There are many great exercise tapes to get your body moving and feeling great.
Feeling blue can quickly turn to depression if not addressed. Know the signs of depression:
*"Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning...:
1. depressed mood most of the day...
2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities...
3. significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain...
4. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
5. psychomotor agitation...
6. fatigue or loss of engery...
7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt...
8. diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness,...
9. recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation..."
* from the DSM-IV
If you feel you are clinically depressed, seek counseling. A good counselor can help you find the way back to emotional stability and allow you to enjoy the events and people in your life.
Many families experience grief symptoms after the diagnosis of a CHD. Holidays and lack of ability to meet your expectations can lead many people back through some of the stages of grief and lead to depression. Realizing what is happening and that it is normal can also help you to begin to feel better.
Dr. Heart to Heart would love to hear your questions, please e-mail newsletter@itsmyheat.org. |
| National Walk Registration is Now Open!! |
Please go on-line a register your team. You can create a Team Website and then send out emails for people to support IMH! Begin to share your story and spread awareness and support the CHD community! |
| CHD Birthdays |
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Caleb Cox Kyle Mabe Joey Turturice
Oct 11, 2007 Nov 2, 1997 Nov 3, 2000
Tenley Wolff Ruth Barbee Carter Nichols
Nov 4, 2004 Nov 11, 1976 Nov 18, 2008
Amelia Olson
Nov 24, 2008
Is your child born in December? Please send us your child's birthday and picture so we can all celebrate your child's birth with you!
We also want to celebrate all your angels birthday's too! So, please send us their information so we can include them as well! E-mail to newsletter@itsmyheart.org. |
| Family Matching |
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We are thrilled with the interest in the Family Matching program.
The Family Matching program provides contacts between another family with a similar diagnosis. If you or your child would like to matched, please email. We have many adults in our database that can help families recently receiving similar CHDs for their children.
If you are an adult with a CHD, please consider signing up to help other families. If you have an email change or had a baby in the past year, please send an updated email.
Send us positive and negative feedback regarding your match. By providing your feedback, we can make family matching the best program around in providing support to families with newly diagnosed children.
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| Donations |
Recurring monthly donations from:
Beth Jacobson
One time donations from:
Melissa Wathington, in memory of Lindsay Simpson. She was such an inspiration and bright light in my life. Miss her everyday!
Kimberly Calhoun, in support of Ryan Calhoun and Riley O'Brian.
David Greenwald, in honor of Ed Wolff and Family.
Rebecca Shelton, in memory of Andrew Bond.
Dale Riehart, in support of Ashley Harvey.
Lily Stoltz, in memory of Jahmair Edwards.
Gary Henson in memory of Noah Paul Stassen.
Donations "In Honor Of", "Memory Of", in recognition of a birthday, anniversary or "Just Because" can be made to It's My Heart. Not only will your donation go towards helping those affected by CHD, but also let someone special know you are thinking of them in a very special way. All donations are tax deductible. Your donation will further the work of spreading awareness of CHDs, fund programs such as the Comfort Bags and Care Packages to the hospitals, etc. |
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It's My Heart Chapters |
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It's My Heart is dedicated to our mission which is to provide support, spread awareness, educate and advocate for those affected by Congenital Heart Defects by creating alliances with fellow families, hospitals, support groups, and the community. Creating chapters of IMH throughout the country is imperative to our ability in achieving our mission.
The objective of chapter development advances our opportunity to increase awareness, support and thereby advocate for those affected by CHD.
If you are interested in organizing a chapter or becoming a Regional Coordinator in your area, please contact the It's My Heart National Office at (281) 578.7343 or (888) HEART.07 or e-mail chapters@itsmyheart.org.
Check out the IMH Chapter nearest you:
Fresno, California
Central Louisiana
Indiana
Boston, Massachusetts
Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Northern New Jersey
Southern New Jersey
Cleveland, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Portland, Oregon
Memphis, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Central Virginia
Seattle, Washington
coming soon.........
Orange County, California
Daytona Beach, Florida
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Southern Florida
Waco, TX
Rhode Island
and many more ..........
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