Team CHD Illinois

10/07/2026

Praying for Johnnie “DJ” Jones, his family, and everyone at Mizzou during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️🙏

At just 18 years old, DJ has his entire life ahead of him, and it’s heartbreaking to hear that he is now waiting for a lifesaving heart transplant.

His story is also a powerful reminder that heart conditions can affect young people and athletes, even when they appear healthy and are competing at the highest level.

Please keep DJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers, and may the right donor heart become available soon. Wishing this young man strength, hope, and healing. ❤️

Mizzou freshman OL hospitalized, awaiting heart transplant, coach says

An 18-year-old is awaiting a heart transplant after Missouri's medical staff detected an issue with during freshman testing this summer.

09/29/2026

❤️ WORLD HEART DAY — SEPTEMBER 29 ❤️

For Team CHD Illinois, the heart is at the center of everything we do.

Today, we honor our Heart Warriors, remember our Heart Angels, and stand with every family navigating the CHD journey.

Our HOPE Bags are just one way we remind families that they are never alone — bringing comfort, support, resources, and a little HOPE when it is needed most. ❤️

To every Heart Warrior, parent, sibling, physician, nurse, researcher, advocate, and supporter: your heart is part of our heart.

Stronger Hearts. Brighter Tomorrows. Together. ❤️

09/28/2026

❤️⚾ PLAY BALL! ⚾❤️

Another unforgettable moment from our Team CHD Illinois Congenital Heart Disease Day with the Chicago White Sox!

Heart Mom Nicole Vlahos took the field with Heart Warrior Sophia right by her side to give the official...

⚾ “PLAY BALL!” ⚾

Seeing Nicole and Sophia together on the field — and up on the big screen — was incredibly special. ❤️

Their entire family has been such a wonderful part of Team CHD Illinois and continues to give so much to our CHD community.

Nicole and Sophia, you represented our Heart Families perfectly and absolutely ROCKED IT! ❤️⚾

What a memory. What a day.

09/28/2026

⚾❤️ FIRST PITCH — AND A PERFECT STRIKE! ❤️⚾

What an incredible moment for Team CHD Illinois!

We were so proud to have Dr. Kiona Allen take the field and throw out the ceremonial First Pitch at our Congenital Heart Disease Day with the Chicago White Sox.

For so many of our Heart Warriors and Heart Families, Dr. Allen is much more than the person standing on that mound. She has cared for their children, supported their families, celebrated their victories and stood beside them through some of their most difficult days. ❤️

Before the game, Dr. Allen joked with us that she could “barely throw a wiffle ball.”

Well... she stepped onto the mound and THREW A PERFECT STRIKE! 🎯⚾

We knew you had it, Dr. Allen! 😄

Thank you for saying YES to this special moment and, more importantly, for everything you do for the CHD community every single day.

Yesterday, it was our turn to cheer for YOU! ❤️

What a moment. What a pitch. What an incredible day!

Chicago White Sox Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Lurie Children’s Single Ventricle Center of Excellence Lurie Children's Heart Center Northwestern University Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

09/28/2026

❤️⚾ WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DAY FOR TEAM CHD ILLINOIS! ⚾❤️

Today was one of those days that reminds us exactly why Team CHD Illinois exists.

Our Heart Warriors. Our Heart Angels. Our Heart Moms and Dads. Our siblings. Our doctors and care teams. And this amazing community that continues to show up for one another. ❤️

From the moment our families began gathering outside the ballpark, you could feel the excitement. Seeing so many familiar faces, so many CHD shirts, and so many families together was something special.

Then we got to take the field at Rate Field for the pregame parade — an unforgettable experience for our Heart Warriors and families! ⚾

We were incredibly proud to have Dr. Kiona Allen represent our CHD community by throwing out the ceremonial First Pitch. Thank you, Dr. Allen, not only for being part of today, but for everything you do for Heart Warriors and their families every single day. ❤️

And what a moment seeing Heart Mom Nicole Vlahos and Heart Warrior Sophia on the field together, with Nicole giving the official:

⚾❤️ “PLAY BALL!” ❤️⚾

Looking through these pictures tonight, though, my favorite part isn't any one moment.

It's the people.

These photos are filled with families who understand one another in a way few others can. Families celebrating survivors. Families remembering angels. Kids growing up together. Friendships formed because of CHD. Doctors standing alongside the families they care for.

This is Team CHD Illinois.

To every family who bought tickets, participated in the parade, wore your CHD gear, shared our posts, supported our fundraiser or simply came out and stood beside another Heart Family — THANK YOU.

You made today possible.

And to the Chicago White Sox, thank you for once again giving our families a place to come together, raise awareness for congenital heart disease and create memories that will last long after the final out.

And what better way to finish an incredible day than with a WHITE SOX WIN! ⚾🔥

The regular season may be over, but we're not done yet...

PLAYOFFS, HERE WE COME! 🖤🤍

We got this!

LET'S GO SOX! ⚾

SOUTH SIDE 4-LIFE! 🖤🤍

Today wasn't simply a day at the ballpark.

It was community. Awareness. Remembrance. Friendship. Family. And HOPE. ❤️

What an absolutely incredible day.

No Heart Family walks this journey alone.

❤️⚾ TEAM CHD ILLINOIS ⚾❤️

Chicago White Sox Lurie Children's Heart Center Lurie Children’s Single Ventricle Center of Excellence Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Kiona Yasi Allen

09/27/2026

❤️⚾ WE’RE LIVE FROM COMISKEY PARK! ⚾❤️

Today is the 2026 Congenital Heart Disease Day with Team CHD Illinois and our Heart Warrior community is showing up BIG!

Heart Warriors. ❤️ Heart Families. ❤️ Heart Angels. ❤️ Friends. ❤️ Supporters. ❤️

Today we come together to raise awareness, celebrate our warriors, remember our angels, and remind every CHD family that you are never alone.

⚾ Pregame Parade ❤️ Team CHD Illinois 🏟️ Chicago White Sox 🎉 An incredible day for our CHD community!

Thank you to EVERYONE who joined us today and everyone watching from home.

Let’s make some noise for our Heart Warriors! ❤️⚾

09/27/2026

❤️⚾ TODAY IS THE DAY! ⚾❤️

After all the planning, sharing, fundraising and excitement, Team CHD Illinois’ Congenital Heart Disease Day with the Chicago White Sox is HERE!

Today we come together for our Heart Warriors, Heart Angels, Heart Families and the entire CHD community. ❤️

⚾ Dr. Kiona Allen will take the mound for the ceremonial First Pitch!

❤️ Heart Mom Nicole Vlahos, with Heart Warrior Sophia by her side, will have the honor of getting the game started with those two words we’ve been waiting to hear…

⚾ PLAY BALL!” ⚾

And before the game, our Team CHD Illinois families and supporters will have the opportunity to participate in the pregame parade on the field!

🚨 IMPORTANT GAMEDAY REMINDER! 🚨

TODAY’S GAME IS A NEAR SELLOUT!

Please give yourself PLENTY of extra time to get to Rate Field and park. Traffic around the ballpark will be heavy, parking will take additional time, and we don’t want anyone missing the parade or any of today’s special moments!

📍 Rate Field
❤️ Pregame Parade: 1:00 PM — Gate 1
⚾ Game Time: 2:10 PM
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Sunday
🏃 Kids Run the Bases after the game!

🚗 ARRIVE EARLY! Parking lots open two hours before game time, and several streets surrounding the ballpark will close once the gates open.

📱 Download your tickets before arriving at the ballpark to help make entry as smooth as possible.

Today is about more than baseball.

It’s about awareness. Family. Community. Remembrance. Hope.

It’s about showing every Heart Warrior and every Heart Family that they never walk this journey alone.

TODAY WE SHOW UP FOR CHD! ❤️⚾

Safe travels, leave early, and WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE BALLPARK!

09/26/2026

❤️⚾ HEART MOM NICOLE & HEART WARRIOR SOPHIA ARE READY TO “PLAY BALL!” ⚾❤️

We are so excited to announce that Heart Mom Nicole Vlahos, joined on the field by her daughter and Heart Warrior Sophia, will help kick off our Congenital Heart Disease Day with the Chicago White Sox tomorrow!

Nicole will have the honor of delivering those two words every baseball fan loves to hear…

⚾ “PLAY BALL!” ⚾

And she’ll have the best inspiration standing right beside her — Sophia! ❤️

Nicole and Sophia represent what this day is truly about — our incredible Heart Warriors and the families who love them, fight beside them, celebrate their victories, and support them every step of the way.

Congratulations, Nicole and Sophia! We can’t wait to see you together on the field tomorrow! ❤️⚾

🎟️ IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US!

📅 Sunday, September 27
⚾ Game Time: 2:10 PM
❤️ Pregame Parade: 1:00 PM — Gate 1
🎟️ Your ticket includes a pass to participate in the pregame parade!
🏃 Kids Run the Bases after the game

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS:
gofevo.com/event/2026CHD

Come celebrate Nicole, Sophia, and our entire CHD community with us! ❤️⚾

09/26/2026

❤️⚾ DR. KIONA ALLEN IS TAKING THE MOUND! ⚾❤️

We are incredibly excited and honored to announce that Kiona Y. Allen, MD will throw out the ceremonial First Pitch this Sunday at Team CHD Illinois’ Congenital Heart Disease Day with the Chicago White Sox!

Dr. Allen is the Medical Director of the Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit and Medical Director of the Single Ventricle Center of Excellence at Lurie Children’s, as well as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

But to so many of our Heart Warriors and their families, those titles only begin to tell her story.

Dr. Allen represents the physicians, nurses and entire cardiac care teams who walk beside CHD families through the frightening days, the victories, the milestones and everything in between. ❤️

Dr. Allen, congratulations! We couldn’t be more excited to see you take the field and represent our CHD community!

And judging by this photo, she’s already pretty comfortable at the ballpark. 😉⚾

🎟️ AND IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US!

📅 Sunday, September 27
⚾ First pitch: 2:10 PM
❤️ Pregame Parade: 1:00 PM — Gate 1
🎟️ Your ticket includes a pass to participate in the pregame parade!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Sunday
🏃 Kids Run the Bases after the game

GET YOUR TICKETS:
gofevo.com/event/2026CHD

Come celebrate Dr. Allen, our Heart Warriors, their families, and the entire CHD community with us at the ballpark! ❤️⚾

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Lurie Children's Heart Center Lurie Children’s Single Ventricle Center of Excellence Northwestern University Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

09/23/2026

🚨❤️ ONLY 5 DAYS TO GO! ❤️⚾

2026 CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE DAY
with Team CHD Illinois

📅 Sunday, September 27
⚾ Game Time: 2:10 PM CT
❤️ Pregame Parade: 1:00 PM — Gate 1

This is more than a White Sox game.

YOUR TICKET PURCHASE HELPS ENSURE OUR OUTREACH CONTINUES FOR CHD FAMILIES.

This is one of only two major fundraisers we have each year, and every ticket helps us continue providing support, education, connection, and resources to families throughout their CHD journey.

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY:
https://gofevo.com/event/2026CHD

5 DAYS. LET’S SHOW UP FOR CHD FAMILIES. ❤️