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Welcome to
Hearts of Promise
Holly Turner
Heart Research Foundation Hearts of Promise is a non-profit organization,
which was established on April 16, 2003 by Tracy and Candace Turner and Candace's
parents, Wayne and Carolyn Saunders. Upon
returning home following Holly's second open-heart surgery at Children's
Hospital Boston (see Holly's story), we felt the urgent need to raise money
for research currently being conducted at Children's Hospital Boston. This
research, known as cardiac tissue engineering, could eliminate the need for
Holly and thousands of other children born with congenital heart defects from
having to undergo valve replacement surgeries throughout their
lifetimes. Children who have
undergone valve replacement surgery will require multiple heart surgeries
since their donor valves or mechanical valves will deteriorate over time or
will be outgrown. Researchers
are hoping to one day grow arteries and valves from a child’s own
tissue. This research holds great
promise, and many advances have been made.
Since the tissue would come from the child’s own body there would no
longer be the need for multiple valve replacements, as the valve would grow
with the child and would not be rejected by the body. All donations received by Hearts of
Promise and all funds raised through our events go to this research being
conducted at Children’s Hospital Boston by Dr. John Mayer and his research
team. Dr. Mayer and others from
Children’s Hospital Boston have devoted their lives to this research. Dr. Mayer feels they are five years away
from clinical trials and is very encouraged by the advances they have
made. Not
only is it the mission of Hearts of Promise to raise funds for this important
research, but we also provide support to families who have been affected by
congenital heart defects. It is
important for families to know that they are not alone and that there is
hope.
Hearts of Promise Heart Walk Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Pratt Park in Prattville, AL (for information please call Candace Turner (334) 361-0071) Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Beacon Park in Irondale, AL (Birmingham) (for information please call Candy Chhoeun (205) 629-7854) The third annual
Hearts of Promise Heart Walk was held on Saturday, April 5th
2008 in Prattville, AL and on Saturday, April 12th in
Irondale (Birmingham).
The walks were a huge success, raising over $16,000. We were able to send $20,000 to Children's Hospital Boston for Dr. Mayer's research. Hearts of Promise has donated $160,000 to date. This could not have been possible without the support of many people.
All proceeds from this event, as in all events held by Hearts of
Promise, will go to research that will directly benefit these precious
children. Although heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting
nearly 1 out of every 100 newborns, congenital heart defect research is
extremely under funded. We feel that it
is imperative that we do all we can to raise funds for this vital
research. Hearts of Promise has
raised over $160,000 to date, but much more is needed. This year almost 40,000 babies will be
born with a heart defect. Please help by
joining us at one of our walks or by making a donation. Thank you for your support and for helping
make the future brighter for so many precious children born with heart
defects. Hearts of Promise is a
non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.
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