On Saturday, March 1, “Healing little Hearts” will hold its annual black-tie gala fundraiser for Boston Children’s Hospital at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, where they expect over 300 guests. Now in its seventh year, the event is sponsored by Baby Blanket Suncare Products and raises approximately $100,000 per year for pediatric heart research.
Every penny from the event goes to fund research for tissue-engineered heart valves that grow with a child, thus reducing the necessity for multiple, risky open heart surgeries in children with congenital heart defects. “I started ‘Healing little Hearts’ because of my son’s ongoing experience with Boston Children’s Hospital. Brady, now a healthy eight-year old, was born with a severe heart defect and has endured seven heart surgeries, 15 cardiac catheterizations and five days on life support. Because of the outstanding health care provided by the cardiac team at Boston Children’s Hospital, I can be thankful and hopeful about Brady’s continued good health,” said Kelly Weglowski, chair of the event and founder of Healing little Hearts, which is based in Mattapoisett.
Event-goers will have the chance to support this cause while bidding on auction items like a stay in an Italian villa, a trip to Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas, Red Sox tickets, Patriots tailgating package, restaurant dining packages from across New England, airfare anywhere in the continental U.S., a stay at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, and spa treatments, among many other items.
Tickets are $125 and include full open bar, fine food from area caterers, and valet parking. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or (preferably) in advance by calling 508-789-7001, emailing info@healinglittlehearts.com or by visiting healinglittlehearts.com.