The heart of our team, Anthony "Lil' A" Gomez, came into our lives September 22, 2004. He has been very busy teaching us about courage, strength and faith every day since. Somehow he still finds time to be the happiest little boy on earth.

Anthony was born with complex congenital heart defects - Transposition of the Great Arteries, Double Outlet Right Ventricle, several VSD's (holes in the heart), and a Mitral Valve abnormality. Anthony has had two major heart surgeries already and will be undergoing his third , the Fontan Pathway,on July 24th, 2008. 

Anthony's heart defects are not repairable.....his heart is being "rewired" to work despite the defects. The surgeries that Anthony needs to survive are very, very new and it is just not known how Anthony's "re-wired" heart will stand the test of time. His life is literally in the hands of the amazing team of doctors, nurses and research staff of the Herma Heart Center at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

This years walk will be one of our most important ever because it will be a celebration of our Lil'A's life and the battle we have fought and won! As parents, our hearts are heavy that our Lil'A has to go through this next surgery, one that has serious risks and complications. However,  we are also filled with hope, because this is the surgery that will allow our son to grow and thrive and have the quality of life he deserves. I cannot put in to words the importance the Lil'A Team has in our lives right now. Anthony is going into this surgery knowing he has a team of people behind him who believe in him and will fight this fight along side him. He knows he is not alone and this gives him strength, and in turn, we, as his parents, find strength in that. 

Please know that by joining our team or sponsoring us, you are helping to give a child the strength to face a very scary surgery with incredible hope and bravery. You are also helping to work toward a future where Anthony and children like him will not have to fight these battles any longer.

Please join the Lil' A Team in fighting for Anthony and so many other children just as amazing as he is who are living with Congenital Heart Defects. All donations will go directly to The Herma Heart Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to support their life saving work.

To learn more about Anthony, the Lil' A Team and the exciting things we have planned for this year, visit our website!

www.lil-a-team.org

Thank you for helping make our dream a reality - the dream of a healthy life for our Lil' A!

P.S. Don't forget to ask your employer for matching donations.