July 2019
Dear Children's Heart Foundation Families and Supporters,

It is my pleasure to update you on some of the exciting things taking place here at The Children’s Heart Foundation. 

On June 27th, we announced two new research projects co-funded by The Children’s Heart Foundation and the American Heart Association through our joint Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards. This is the sixth round of co-funded research through the awards program, and the first year that The Children’s Heart Foundation and the American Heart Association are jointly requesting applications. Scientists who are conducting research to prevent and treat CHDs may submit applications for the next round of funding by September 19th. Through this collaboration and our ongoing commitment to research focused on congenital heart defects, we strive to make a lasting impact on the lives of those with CHDs. This new research will help bring innovative solutions to improve survival rates and care for all CHD patients.

In June, we closed our independent call for research grants, where we received 55 applications for research funding. These applications will be reviewed by our Medical Advisory Council (MAC) and those recommended by the MAC will receive funding in December 2019.

To support the great work that our organization is doing across the country and serving our research mission, we have added three new staff members to our team: Jessica Cowin, Research and Advocacy Manager, who is an adult CHD survivor; Iqbal Khatri, Finance Coordinator; and Kelsey Glascott, Office and Event Logistics Coordinator. Additionally, we are doing some re-configuring of staff responsibilities to better partner with our Regions and position The Children’s Hearth Foundation for continued growth and success.

In addition, we recently finished our Spring Congenital Heart Walk season, which was a huge success thanks to all of our passionate and dedicated walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and donors. Through you, we raised more than $820,000 to continue growing our mission of funding the most promising research.

I look forward to updating you on research we fund in 2019 and the impact that this research is making in the lives of CHD patients. Our vision is a world in which everyone born with a CHD has the chance to live a long, healthy life, and that eventually, CHDs will be eradicated altogether. With your help, we are making great progress toward that goal! Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely, 
Barbara Newhouse
Chief Executive Officer
#WalkForCHDResearch - Congenital Heart Walk Series
Thank you to the nearly 7,000 walkers, and all of our volunteers, sponsors, and donors who have supported our Congenital Heart Walk series so far this year. Your fundraising efforts and support have been inspiring and will help us make a difference in the lives of those impacted by congenital heart defects (CHDs) – America’s most common and deadly birth defect.

Hosted by The Children’s Heart Foundation, the Congenital Heart Walk is the largest Walk series solely dedicated to raising funds for CHD research. We invite you to join us this Fall as we continue our #WalkForCHDResearch in more than 10 cities across the country. Click here to find an upcoming walk near you and to get started as a fundraising walker, team captain, volunteer, sponsor, or donor. Or walk or run for us anytime, anywhere and help us fund the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs by participating in our Virtual Walk !

Once you’re registered for a walk, you can start fundraising and earn one of our exciting prizes ! It’s easier than you think! Download our 15 Fantastic Fundraisers document for some great ways to meet your goal and help drive our mission! Happy walking and fundraising, and thank you for Placing Children at the Heart of Research !
Stay inquisitive, stay curious, stay active in your care – An interview with Dr. Ai Wern Chung
Dr. Kathryn Osteen, an adult CHD survivor and member of The Children's Heart Foundation's Board of Directors, interviewed Dr. Ai Wern Chung, whose research was selected for the most recent round of funding from the Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards, co-funded by the American Heart Association and The Children’s Heart Foundation.

"I had the distinct pleasure to discuss with Dr. Chung her research project, entitled: Exploring information transport in structural networks as an MRI biomarker for altered brain organization in adult CHD.
Dr. Chung is drawn to this research area due to the unknown effect CHD has on brain development and function. Her previous research work with mapping brain networks relating to mild traumatic brain injury, stroke, and small vessel disease in aging, has led to her current post-doctoral fellowship appointment and CHD-specific research."
Introducing The Children’s Heart Foundation’s Team for the
2019 TCS New York City Marathon
The Children’s Heart Foundation is a Community Level Charity Partner of the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, through our partnership with New York Road Runners. We secured 9 official bibs for runners to fundraise in support of The Children’s Heart Foundation's mission, and 4 other runners are also fundraising for us! Please meet our amazing runners:

  • Michele Bartels
  • Jim Devane
  • Kristen Devane
  • Nicole Escudero 
  • Ralf Holzer, M.D.
  • Katie Jansson 
  • Allison Longest
  • Nicolle Macias 
  • Noah McBurnett 
  • Matt McElroy 
  • Kelly Hilsin O’Connor
  • Allison Razzano
  • Chris Ruddy

These runners have already raised more than $19,600 for The Children's Heart Foundation through their fundraising efforts! Thank you to all of our 2019 TCS New York City Marathon runners for choosing to support The Children's Heart Foundation.
Upcoming Events
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Cleveland, OH

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Denver, CO

Hillsdale, NJ

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September 29: CHF Night at Fenway Park
Boston, MA