The Healing Hearts Project

06/03/2026

It all started with two people and two sweet little girls whose medically complex journeys revealed a need.

They saw a gap and found a way to build a bridge, connecting heart families to one another through shared experiences, understanding, and support.

While a child’s CHD needs are met clinically, the emotional strain and mental load that come with a diagnosis or hospital stay can be overwhelming and frightening for caregivers. So, a community of heart families came together to help bridge that gap in care.

Caregivers joined forces and began collecting items for what was then the Heart Cart (and has since grown into an entire Heart Pantry). They reached out to schools, businesses, friends, and family, or donated items themselves, because they knew firsthand the comfort and love these simple gifts could bring to families in the CVICU. Every donation was intentional then, and it still is today.

As we celebrate 10 years of the Heart Cart and Heart Pantry, we honor the dedication, compassion, and hard work that made it all possible. For a decade, this community has stocked our shelves with more than snacks and necessities. It has filled them with love, hope, and support for heart families when they need it most.

06/02/2026

We are honored to welcome two new members to The Healing Hearts Project Board of Directors!

Both Leslie and Lisa joined the board in January and have already become invaluable members of our team. Their passion for serving heart families, combined with their professional expertise and personal connection to our mission, will help strengthen our impact for years to come.

Leslie joins us as a longtime supporter and advocate for the heart community. As a Senior Director of Operations Financials & Controls, she brings extensive experience in operational leadership, financial oversight, and strategic planning. Over the years, Leslie has attended and volunteered at many of our events, consistently demonstrating her commitment to the families we serve. Her desire to become more actively involved in advancing our mission led her to board service.

"When your child is hurting, the most important thing is to support them. This organization provides invaluable services for children and families facing these challenges."

Lisa has been part of our support group community since the very beginning of The Healing Hearts Project in 2016 as the mother of her Heart Warrior son. A dedicated volunteer and passionate advocate, she brings expertise in financial systems, programming, and merger integration. Lisa combines professional knowledge with firsthand understanding of the congenital heart defect journey, making her a valuable voice in helping guide the organization's strategic growth.

"CHD life is tough and isolating. Receiving support is essential to navigating its challenges. My family has been blessed with that support, and I appreciate the opportunity to pay it forward and help THHP in a meaningful way."

Please join us in welcoming Leslie and Lisa to the Board of Directors! We are grateful for their leadership, dedication, and shared commitment to providing support and care to CHD impacted families.

05/27/2026

Many of our Rylan Fund recipients receive support in ways we are unable to publicly share, but every so often we have the opportunity to bring together incredible advocates behind this impact.

DeAnna, through her kindness and her thoughtful willingness to meet families where they are while remaining deeply mindful of their individual needs. And Stephanie, through her enduring love for her daughter Rylan and passion to provide the support her own family needed during Rylan’s inpatient journey. Both continue to make a lasting difference for heart families.

Rylan’s beautiful spirit and life perfectly reflect the purpose of our mission: to surround families with support, compassion, and love. We strive to be there when insurance falls short, when the worries feel endless, and when leaving the safety of the hospital family — the nurses and staff who become such an important part of your life — feels scary and uncertain.

Congenital Heart Disease can feel incredibly isolating, but through the work of these two women and so many others, we hope to replace fear with community, comfort, and hope.

05/26/2026

Over the weekend, one of our heart families celebrated a Heartiversary — the anniversary of a heart surgery — and chose to honor their heart warrior by giving back to other families through donations to the Heart Pantry, CARE Packs, and our quarterly “Thinking of You” bags.

Jack is celebrating his 3rd Heartiversary! 💙

Thank you to Jack’s family for continuing to pour love back into the heart community as your heart warrior continues to thrive. These thoughtful donations mean so much to the families who receive them, especially knowing they were given with such love and care.

05/12/2026

As we share this update from the Duval County School Superintendent regarding the new law requiring EKG screenings for rising high school athletes we are reminded why awareness matters so deeply.

Not every congenital heart defect is detected during routine prenatal screenings. Some CHDs can remain silent for years, with no signs or symptoms until tragedy strikes. Sports are healthy, empowering, and often incredibly beneficial for many Heart Warriors, but an undiagnosed heart condition can turn a normal game day into a life altering moment in seconds.

The Second Chance Law comes after the heartbreaking loss of Chance Gainer, football player and high school student, in 2024 who passed away on the field due to an undiagnosed CHD. We honor his memory by continuing to advocate for awareness, early detection, and faster emergency response times that can save lives. As this also instigated the law mandating automated external defibrillator (AED) and CPR training be available at Public and Charter Schools during sporting events.

Every child deserves the chance to play safely.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DWqLB8gWX/

05/11/2026

Please meet Tyler. He came to us wanting to share his heart story in hopes of bringing comfort to families like his who are now facing the reality of open heart surgery or a new CHD diagnosis. He is a beautiful example of the courage, resilience, and hope that CHD families carry with them every day. It is a club none of us ever asked to join, but one we are proud to advocate for with strength and compassion.

Read his story below:

My name is Tyler. I am a sophomore in high school and 16 years old. Looking at me you wouldn’t know that I was born with an 8 mm hole in my heart. At three months old, I had surgery to repair a ventricular septal defect (VSD). The operation was a success. I grew up with many prominent scars on my chest. As a young child, they made me self-conscious. But my parents would remind me that I earned these “badges of honor.” As I got older, I came to see how lucky I am. I am healthy and strong and my congenital heart defect never crosses my mind. I love sports, and play lacrosse and pickleball

05/07/2026

Happy Nurse Week!

No matter where we go, heart families find nurses who will always hold a special place in our hearts. Your kind, selfless passion for our heart warriors is a balm to our spirits, and your compassionate advocacy for our emotional well being leaves us stronger, comforted, and cared for. Thank you for all you do for our families every single day.

Heart Mom Josylynn Ann said this:
Our ❤️nurses were all at Duke & MUSC but Ashley was my absolute favorite. In Kyle’s early days she was my rock.
Now I’m fortunate to have worked along side some really amazing nurses on the adult side of the CVICU and it’s incredible the things they do day in and day out. 😍

05/06/2026

We are so grateful to have been recently featured by Action News Jax as they shared the story of the fetal echo machine and the impact it will have on families in our community.

We are thankful to be in a position to help make real change and bring answers during a time when worry can feel overwhelming. Our mission will always be to provide ongoing support and services to families and patients as they face the challenges of congenital heart defects.

We want to be a resource for families through every step of their journey, ensuring they know they are not alone and that there is a heart family waiting for them with open arms.

Thank you to all our partners who have supported us along the way to make this possible!!

Having a baby is a miraculous thing and parents just want their baby to be healthy.

05/05/2026

We wish our Treasurer, Kellie, a very happy birthday today!

05/02/2026

Our picnic table found its home! Alice, heart mom, purchased the table for her husband and his students at Orange Park Junior High. He is a little concerned about the squabbles that may break out on who gets to sit at the cool table next week! 😎

The Art Room Clay County Agricultural Fair: Art & Charity Picnic Project with Artist Sarah from The Art Room