Heart

Friends,

My heart is heavy as I write this. A family in our Bible study has a sick little boy, I just read a blog of a two year old dieing from cancer and I was frustrated with Levi for wanting to be rocked. I am so blessed, blessed beyond what I can comprehend. I don't deserve any of it. I am so grateful for all of it.

I have been sitting on the sidelines for far too long. Watching as other people find something to be passionate about. I want to be passionate about something. I am tired. Tired of being selfish. I'm a sinner, saved by grace. And oh boy, what grace that is!

To start, our family is going to walk. We're going to walk for hearts, kids hearts, babies hearts, heart research.

It's a small way we can do something. We can support our friends from Bible study and we can help with awareness.

Guess what! You can help too. Read on!




According to the March of Dimes, about 40,000 infants (1 out of every 125) are born with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) each year in the United States. The defect may be so slight that the baby appears healthy for many years after birth, or so severe that its life is in immediate danger. Studies prove that CHD's are the most common birth defect and are the number one cause of death from birth defects during the first year of life. Nearly twice as many children die from CHD in the United States each year as die from all forms of childhood cancers combined. Over 91,000 life years are lost each year in the US due to CHD. Charges for care exceed 2.2 billion dollars, for inpatient surgery alone.

Most people know someone who has been affected by Congenital Heart Defects or Acquired Heart Defects. On February 21, 2009 we will be helping It's My Heart raise awareness about the devastating affects of CHD at the National IMH CHD Awareness 5KRun & 3KWalk – Noah’s Legacy. Funds raised through the IMH Run & Walk will support national awareness and help to provide comfort bags and programs to families while they are hospitalized throughout the USA. Our goal is to raise $500.00. Your support and donation of $100, $50, $25, $10 will help take a stand against the #1 birth defect and killer of children. Not only will you help us achieve our goal, you will also help It's My Heart make important advances in research, support and awareness of CHD. The IMH CHD Awareness Run & Walk is quickly approaching, so please make your pledge today. Thank you in advance for your support of our journey with CHD. Together we will make a difference!

For more information on It's My Heart visit www.itmyheart.org.

From our hearts,
Kristy, Drew, Sage, Kolby and Levi

Yes! I am happy to support your efforts in the CHD Awareness Run & Walk! You can count on me/us for:
_____$100 _____$50 ______$25 ______$10 _____Other $
Please make check payable to It's My Heart and return this form, along with your check to:

It’s My Heart
19728 Saums Road
PMB# 137
Houston, TX 77084

Please include Joshua's Joggers in the memo of the check.
You can also use Paypal, a quick and easy way to donate. Please include in the message my name and CHD Run & Walk. Just go to www.itsmyheart.org and click on “Donate”.

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE



PS If everyone who looks at my blog gave $10, we'd make our goal. Help us out! And thanks!