08/19/2026
🩵 Hannah's Gift of Hope: Mabel 🩵
Mabel’s story is one of incredible strength, resilience, and unwavering hope as she waits for the gift of a new heart.
Mabel, her parents’ first child, was diagnosed after birth with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. From the moment she entered the world, her fight began. Her parents have spent their journey navigating parenthood within ICU walls, moving cities to be closer to specialized care, learning to care for their daughter alongside her medical team, holding her through procedures, and advocating for her every step of the way.
Since February 18, Mabel has been waiting for a heart transplant. She is currently supported by a ventricular assist device, lovingly referred to by her family as her “external heart,” specifically a Berlin Heart, which is helping keep her strong while she waits for her donor heart.
Despite everything Mabel has endured, her medical team describes her as a tiny but incredibly strong warrior. Her family is deeply involved in her care, attending rounds each day so they can stay informed and make sure they understand every update. Their dedication to Mabel is evident in every decision they make and every moment they spend by her side.
Mabel’s mom has also found a beautiful way to bring comfort to other families during their own hospital journeys. She hand-knits patients’ names to hang above their hospital doors, helping children and families feel seen and special during some of their hardest days. Even while facing an unimaginable wait for her own daughter, she continues to spread kindness to those around her.
Behind Mabel’s strength is a family carrying an enormous emotional and financial burden. Their lives have been centered around getting Mabel the specialized care she needs, while everyday expenses never stopped. Relocating to be near her care, ongoing medical expenses, food, travel, and the necessities of simply caring for themselves while remaining by Mabel’s side have created significant financial stress.
“We are so incredibly grateful to Hope for Hearts for helping us relieve some of that financial stress through donating to our family. Our lives halted, but bills did not. Moving our lives to be near her specialized care, never-ending medical bills, and the necessities of eating and still taking care of ourselves through it all add up, and never stop.” -Mabel's Family
Mabel’s family is now waiting for the phone call that could change everything, the call that a donor heart has become available and that their daughter will finally have the opportunity to live beyond the hospital walls.
“We are so grateful for you making donations to families like ours possible. I’d love to encourage you to google our daughter’s name, Mabel Rose Correal, and read her story. My mission as her mom is to spread awareness of CHD, the most common birth defect affecting 1 in 100 babies every year, and to spread awareness on organ donation. Without organ donation, our daughter won’t have the chance at living outside of these four walls. In our waiting, we are so thankful for the kindest of strangers. You among them. Thank you.” -Mabel's Family
Thank you for helping provide hope, comfort, and financial relief to Mabel and her family. Because of your generosity, they can carry a little less of the financial burden while continuing to focus on what matters most, being present for Mabel, advocating for her, and waiting together for the heart that will give this tiny warrior the chance to come home.
