Sawyer's Soldiers - CHD Awareness

At 24 weeks pregnant, we learned that our daughter would be born with a severe heart defect called HLHS.  This news was devastating as nobody expects to hear that their first child, in a perfect pregnancy, would be critically ill.  In short, the left side of our daughter's heart is underdeveloped, making it unable to do the important job of pumping blood out to the body.  Just over 30 years ago, there was nothing that could be done in cases like this.  Thankfully, with huge medical advances, there is a series of surgeries available to help palliate the condition.  Sawyer will undergo at least 3 open heart surgeries in the first few years of her life that will allow the right side of her heart to do the work of the left.  Yes, she will live with half of a functioning heart... isn't that amazing?!  With many hospital stays and doctor visits looming, I have been forced to take a year off of work in order to do my most important job ever -- to be a mommy to this very special little girl!  Please consider helping us fund these hospital stays AND more importantly, raise awareness of CHD's!  Did you know that 1 in 100 children is born with a Congenital Heart Defect?  1 in 4,344 children is born with the HLHS -- the same life threatening and life changing defect that Sawyer has.  We plan to use part of the proceeds for our hospital stays, and to donate the rest to organizations that support pediatric cardiology research.  Thank you so much!