The Children's Heart Foundation

01/27/2026

Then ➡ Now: "Andy will be 4 in April. TAPVR with ASD. Here he is the day of surgery and then on his heartiversary each year." ❤

Share your then and now with us!

01/26/2026

Through a partnership between The Children’s Heart Foundation and the Cortney Gives BAK Foundation we’re supporting research to improve outcomes for adults living with Fontan circulation. ❤

The 2025 Cortney Gives BAK Research Award, administered through The Children’s Heart Foundation, has been awarded to Dr. Christopher Broda (Baylor College of Medicine) for his project, "Cellular senescence in blood as a biomarker of failure in adults with Fontan circulation".

This research aims to develop a simple blood test that could help identify Fontan patients at higher risk for serious complications—before they become critically ill. By studying blood samples, researchers are looking for early warning signs of heart and organ stress to help doctors monitor patients more closely, intervene earlier, and potentially reduce the need for heart or organ transplantation.

Together, we’re investing in research that brings earlier answers, better care, and renewed hope for those living with complex congenital heart disease.

01/23/2026

The 2026 West Palm Beach Congenital Heart Walk & 5K Presented by The Haley Charitable Fund is two weeks away!! We invite you to join us during for this inspiring event dedicated to honoring and remembering all Heart Warriors and Heart Angels. Together, we are raising funds for research that will save and improve the lives of those living with congenital heart defects.❤️

Register to walk or for the 5K run at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/westpalmbeach/

01/22/2026

Meet Samuel Regalado, the first recipient of The Children’s Heart Foundation’s Scholarship for Researchers Committed to Advancing CHD Research in Racial and Ethnic Communities! ❤

Samuel is an MD/PhD candidate at the University of Washington and a proud member of the Southern California Barbareño Band of Chumash Indians. With this scholarship, he’ll pursue research focused on how the heart develops, and what leads to congenital heart defects. Listen as he shares more about his research and intended outcomes on the genetics behind .

01/21/2026

Meet Heart Warrior Kara ❤ At Kara’s yearly check up at the age of three, her pediatrician heard a heart murmur. She was referred to a pediatric cardiologist who then diagnosed her with Coarctation of the Aorta and Bicuspid Aortic Valve. After her diagnosis she was immediately scheduled to have heart surgery to correct her congenital heart defect. With 30 stitches across her back she recovered perfectly and within a week she was out of the hospital. If it wasn’t for the amazing doctors and medical professionals at Cleveland Clinic Children's, she wouldn’t be here.

Her parents state that “after her surgery she was like a new child. She was energetic, was sleeping through the night, and was healthy.” Since then, Kara is thriving and has a team of doctors at Cleveland Clinic that she sees regularly to monitor her conditions. "It’s so important to raise awareness about Congenital Heart Defects. The research and dedication that goes into it is what saves these children’s lives." 💖

01/20/2026

This past Fall, we announced that Dr. Tracey Crooks was named as a recipient of the 2025 Pediatric Cardiology Research Fellowship Award, supported by a $35,000 educational grant from The Children’s Heart Foundation.

Her research titled “Observational Study of the Impact of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors on Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function and Proteomic Analysis at 6 months in Exercise Limited Patients with Fontan Physiology” will explore whether Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i)—a cornerstone of adult heart failure treatment—can improve skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and exercise capacity in patients with single ventricle heart disease.

“We believe this research has the potential to identify a modifiable risk factor in a patient population historically excluded from heart failure trials,” said Crooks. “By studying mitochondrial function directly, we hope to better understand how these medications can support patients living with single ventricle physiology.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4oOXdbX

01/19/2026

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association, along with several other leading medical associations, have issued a new guideline for managing congenital heart disease in adults. The guideline was jointly published today in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, and Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association.

The new guideline provides updated recommendations for monitoring, counseling and treating adults with congenital heart disease. They also include additions related to the role of clinicians with specialized expertise in guiding the care of adults with congenital heart disease; updates regarding mental health, physical activity, pregnancy and heart failure; and new recommendations about specific types of heart defects and treatment approaches. Learn more:

WASHINGTON and DALLAS (Dec. 18, 2025) — The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association, along with several other leading medical associations, have issued a new guideline for managing congenital heart disease in adults. The...

01/19/2026

Today we honor & remember the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ❤

01/16/2026

Heart Angel Cecilia "Cici" Faye Severs was born with a rare and serious congenital heart defect, but her short life left a powerful legacy of love, courage, and hope.❤ In her honor, Cici's parents, Pete and Anna, developed "Cici the Brave", a tenderly written and beautifully illustrated children's book that honors Cici's journey and the bravery of all Heart Warriors and Heart Angels. "Cici the Brave" is more than just a story - it's a message of awareness, remembrance, and resilience.💕

To learn more, or purchase a copy of the book, visit: https://cicithebrave.com/
All proceeds from this book will be donated to The Children's Heart Foundation.

01/15/2026

Every 15 minutes, a baby is born with a congenital heart defect ( ). That’s 40,000 babies every year in the U.S. alone. But together, we can change their future! ❤️

For the last 30 years, we've been funding groundbreaking research that gives these little hearts a fighting chance at longer, healthier lives. Join us in making a difference! 💪💕

01/14/2026

Then ➡️ Now

We love to see thriving❤ Share your then & now photos with us below! 👇

01/13/2026

It's National Birth Defects Awareness Month ❤ Help us spread awareness about congenital heart defects ( ) - America's most common birth defect. We encourage you to share one fact about CHDs with your friends and family on social media. Be sure to tag and use the hashtag .