Save the Date!

I just want to tell everyone to mark Sunday, September 14th down on your calendar as the date of the first annual CHIN/CHF Heartstrides Pediatric CHN Heart Walk at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo. Tenatively the event will start at 8:00am. This will be a family fun walk at the zoo where anyone may attend and walk in honor or memory of someone they know that has been effected by a Congenital Heart Defect. We have teamed up with the local chapter of the CHIN (Congenital Heart Information Network) and are trying to spread the word about this event. Emily and I are trying to do what we can do assist the local Ohio chapter in making this a great event for all. I know that Emily and I would really appreciate many people coming out to the zoo that morning and walking in memory of our Lily. There will be many more details in regards to this event so check back occationally for more details!

Thanks!

Meet our new friend Brendon!

Attention everyone! I am asking that everyone take the time to read the story of Brendon Shadle. We just recently met Brendon and his mother Melody but we previously had been made aware of his story. When Emily and I heard about this amazing little boy who suffers from similar heart conditions that our daughter Lily had, we wanted to learn more. Brendon also suffers from a Congenital Heart Defect known as Pumonary Atresia but his case is more complicated. Brendon is four years old and has been through a lot in his life, as has his family. Instead of retelling his entire story, I will direct you to a website dedicated to telling Brendon's story: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonshadle
Please take the time to visit his website and learn about this amazing little boy. Once Emily and I learned about what Brendon and his family were going through we decided we wanted to try to help. Today we got the opportunity to meet Brendon and now we want to help even more. Brendon's mom Melody has been working hard to raise money to help deal with the overwhelming medical expenses that have piled up over the last four years. Brendon faces further surgeries in the near future, one that he will need to travel all the way to California for. I want to get the message out about Brendon hoping that others will want to help as well. Please visit his website and read his amazing story. Also, this Saturday, June 14th, there will be a cookout held at McCarthy's Ale House of Avon Lake. The event starts at 5:00pm and tickets cost $20.00 at the door. It will be a night of great food and fun and will be for an important cause. If you come you will be helping raise money to help Brendon and his family. Let's make sure Brendon and his family get all the help that we can possibly give them. Please pass this on to everyone you know!

Thanks!

Lily's Garden at Ronald McDonald House

Here's a few pictures from this past Saturday at the Ronald McDonald House:

Before:

After:

The volunteers that made it possible:

Thankyou to everyone who helped us build such a wonderful place in memory of our Lily. We hope that the families in need at the Ronald McDonald House can enjoy Lily's Garden and we hope that it brings joy into their lives. It's amazing what 20 people can do in a few hours with a couple of shovels, a few flowers, a giant rock, and a lot of really big hearts!