When We Walk With the Heart of A Child

This post is by my good friend, Jochabel Reese. I could not attend this wonderful event, but my heart was there.

When We Walk With the Heart of A Child 

Lane Hartman on the shoulders of
Grandpa Tim Hartman


by: Jochabel Reese

When we walk with the heart of a child,
Things look brighter and less wild.

When we walk with the heart of a child,
Our pains seem a bit more mild.

When a child's heart is broken,
Do we leave them with words unspoken?

When a child's heart is aching,
Do we leave them cold and shaking?

No.

Let us walk with the heart of a child,
Let us be tender, loving and mild.

Let us walk with the heart of a child,
Let us make ways for every child to smile.

The following images and experiences are from the 13th Annual Walk with the Heart of a Child event held February 27, 2016 at the Fashion Show Mall, organized to support the Children's Heart Foundation in Las Vegas, NV (CHFN).

CHFN's goal with this event was to raise $125,000, but from what I could see on my donor page today, CHFN only received $96,420. The Centers for Desease Control and Prevention states, "Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect."

Medicines, treatment, surgeries, therapies and other needs are not cheap and CHFN helps support and supplement as many families affected by CHDs as possible.



Jochabel Reese with daughter Rena and son Ethan

The morning of the Heart Walk began at the CHFN sign-in tables outside Johnny Rockets. I signed in, picked up my T-shirt and proceeded to meet with other walkers by a stage in the Fashion Show Mall.

Music played, families gathered, several posters were held up while others were being finished by little hands on the mall floor. Different walking teams had personalized shirts, and then there were many children wearing red shirts to stand out from the rest.

The children in red are our beloved heart patients. They all have their own story, their own congenital heart defects, and their own journey. Many are currently receiving medical care, some have received care in the past and have recovered, and some need medical care now but have not yet received it. It was touching to see so many smiling and hope-filled faces.

Steph MacKenzie and Kevin Janison

The event was announced by local talent, Kevin Janison of NBC News-3, and Steph MacKenzie of 97.1 The Point. Both MacKenzie and Janison have been involved with CHFN for several years and would not miss the Heart Walk come rain or shine.

It was a casual yet energized atmosphere. Janison and MacKenzie made a good team announcing the event proceedings while MacKenzie's daughter and some other little ones played on the stage behind them. No worries, it's all part of the show.



 ISMV students and parents
with principal Dr. Breier in green
and asst. principal Ms. Shaffer in black

I actually first heard about Walk With the Heart of a Child from my childrens' charter school, Imagine Schools at Mountain View. Assistant principal, Nicole Shaffer recognized this need in our community and it was approved by school principal, Dr. Eve Breier. Shaffer promoted the event at school; we received email and social media messages and our children came home with flyers about the event. I knew this was something I wanted to participate in.



Teanna Manzo

I met some wonderful people who really have hearts full of love for their family members and friends going through the challenges of heart treatment.

Teanna Manzo was one of many I met. She was born with conditions I cannot even pronounce which required (in layman's terms) rewiring her heart because vessels and her heart were not where they ought to be. She was also born with other vital organs which developed within the wrong side of her body. She stands here today with a great smile, and a wonderful attitude. She may have to undergo some other medical treatments in the near future. Our prayers are with her and her family.


Bryson's Angels

I couldn't even keep it together when meeting Bryson's Angels. In memory of baby Bryson, the family came out to support CHFN (a photo and the dates 7/5/08-1/12/10 adorn the backs of their shirts).
Even those mourning loss find comfort in coming together for this good cause and helping others through their CHD experiences.

Prior to our 3K walk, we were supposed to warm up to hot Zumba beats, but the crowd mostly stood around watching our happy, hopping Heart Kids kick it on stage. Our fingers got more exercise taking photos and videos than our feet did.


Julia's Heart Throbz honor Avery Flake

Julia's Heart Throbz represented Avery Rose Flake, a beautiful girl born February 5, 2015 with a serious congenital heart defect. Avery received her first open-heart surgery eight days later. Then she had her second open-heart surgery prior to the Heart Walk. Avery was well enough to attend the Heart Walk as seen pictured in front with parents Brooke and Troy Flake.



Julia's Heart Throbz walkin' on

This team is organized by 17-year-old Julia Carlson, who was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy at three months old. Carlson has been involved with Children's Heart Foundation for 13 years and became familiar with the Flake family prior to Avery's birth. This year she raised over $4,000 in donations specifically to benefit baby Avery. Simply Amazing!


Awesome Heartz 2016

Awesome Heartz on the move

Awesome Heartz 2016 supported Soleil Sanchez and Miah Marcus for this Heart Walk. At the end of the event, awards were announced. Awesome Hearts was recognized for Most Team Spirit and Most Donations Raised by a Team (Over $18,000).

When Soleil Sanchez was born and diagnosed with CHD, her mother had to make some serious decisions. Francine Sanchez left her successful career at a pharmaceutical company to not only give her daughter the care she needed, Sanchez also joined with CHFN starting a research division.

With CHDs being such a common birth defect, Sanchez recognized the need for more research to educate doctors
and parents, and provide the best care possible for CHD patients.

Awesome Heartz walked with pride, smiles and pom-poms on this day.

Our walk felt so much shorter than I anticipated, but I could only imagine that every step we took was to represent all the steps our heart children have taken, and will continue to take on their journey through life with the challenges of their CHD.

Karlie's Pacers - Karlie centered in red

It was a special experience walking among mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, and even other perfect strangers who where there with their hearts full of love and care for everyone there.

With all the research and medical care available, and as modern as our technology is, still not all procedures work the same way for each patient. There is still so much more to learn
and so many variables that come into play when a child undergoes heart surgery, or any surgery for that matter.

Zachary's Fighting Tigers - Zachary front center

I can't imagine what these children and their families really
experience physically, emotionally, and even spiritually on a daily basis. But what we all can do is to provide support, comfort, encouragement, donations, and to observe and listen.

Whether we are in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, or elsewhere, there are children and families who need people who care and organizations like CHFN who will observe, listen and help them along their difficult path with congenital heart defects. May we all find ways, whether great or small, to love, lift, and strengthen others in our own communities.