For the past five years, Kelly and Marc Weglowski, founders of “Healing little Hearts,” have been working to raise money for pediatric heart research at Children’s Hospital Boston. They have specifically focused their efforts on research of tissue-engineered heart valves that grow with a child and reduce the necessity for multiple, risky open heart surgeries in children with congenital heart defects. They became involved in fundraising because of their son Brady’s ongoing involvement with Children’s Hospital.
“Brady is alive today because of the amazing efforts of Children’s Hospital Boston. Brady is now a healthy six-year old, but he was born with a severe, life-threatening heart defect — he has endured seven heart surgeries, 15 cardiac catheterizations and five days on life support,” said Kelly.
Family and friends of the Weglowski family work from September to March to plan the event that is held the first week of March every year. On March 3, 2012, the fundraiser reached a milestone – a half-million dollars raised over the past five years. There were over 300 attendees at the event, many from the tri-town area.
“We are so blessed to have a community of people that come out and support this cause. It means a great deal to our family, and we look forward to the day when tissue-engineered heart valves will be available for all children that need them,” said Kelly.
What a wonderful article. Kelly, Marc, Jillian and Brady and your whole team have done so much work and it certainly shows. You are all to be congratulated on the success of Healing Little Hearts and a half million dollars. That shows how many people care and are willing to help.
Needless to say, I am extremely proud of you and how much you care about this charity.
I love you, Mom/Judy/Grandma