Katie McCardle was born on June 27, 2005 with severe heart defects. Katie has a variant of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Coarctation of the Aorta, and Ventricular Septal Defects. At two days old Katie underwent open heart surgery that repaired the Coarctation of the Aorta, banded her Pulmonary Artery, and created a restricted Atrial Septal Defect. Katie will need at least one more surgery possibly more.

It is our wish to support Children's Hospital, the Herma Heart Center, and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Katie was provided excellent care during her one month stay. The doctors, nurses, and entire staff were absolutely fabulous and just a tremendous support to Katie and our family. Not only was Katie provided with the utmost care but the staff always made certain the needs of John, the boys, and I were met as well.

Our experience at Children's Hospital has had a profound impact on us. We cannot stress enough just how important it is to our family and how fortunate we are to have it so close. Heart defects are extremely common, more so than we ever imagined, but tragedy of any kind can strike anyone at any time - no one is immune. It is a fact of life that kids get sick or hurt. Life is precious.
Please support Children's Hospital. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Also, we would love to see you on race day, September 24, 2005. I will be running and the boys and Katie will walk with John. Please call or email me to sign up by August 10th and I will turn in the registrations and race fees. I will deliver your t-shirts in September. Children's Hospital has saved my life and Katie's, please help us support this facility so it may continue to provide outstanding care to children. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too! Michelle McCardle UPDATE: Katie had an echo at her doctor appointment last week. It did not go as well as we had hoped. Her mitral valve has not grown since birth. Therefore, Katie will need to have the second and third stage surgeries to make her heart into a single ventricle. She will have a cardiac catherization in October. At that time the doctors will evaluate her condition and determine when she will have the second surgery. Ideally, they do it at six months of age, so right around Christmas. We will do our best to keep everyone up to date on her progress. We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.