The heart means something very special in our family, as our son Zack received life-saving heart surgery when he was just 2 weeks old. Too sick to wait until he got bigger, on October 2nd 2007 our littlest twin fought for his life during surgery and recovery. In fact, after his surgery, his heart was too swollen to fit into his tiny body and his chest stayed open until it was safer to close the incision. My husband and I walked in one morning, post-surgery, to see his exposed beating heart through a clear film. If I had seen this on a tv show, I would have surely lost my appetite for the day…however, knowing that he had endured the surgery that would save his life and that we were witnessing his miracle with our own eyes was incredibly surreal and beautiful.
As you can imagine, this Heart Awareness Month and Valentine’s Day, we are looking to give back to the place that performed this miracle and honour our courageous son.
Sick Kids Foundation has set up some Heartfelt gifts to give to your children instead of candy, chocolate and stuffed animals. For $20 you can provide Valentine’s Day art supplies for children in the hospital. Or help monitor a child’s heart saturation levels for $40.
Check it out at http://www.sickkidsgetbettergifts.com/ to honour your special child or to show your appreciation for the fact that your healthy children do not require the care at this amazing hospital.