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Hear My Heart: Haley’s Story

Photos of Haley through the years. Haley's mother and older sister Hannah are donors to One Heart Health. They also volunteer with the organization. Haley's mother Keri, a heritage tour specialist from Minnesota, shared Haley's CHD story.
Photos of Haley through the years. Haley’s mother and older sister Hannah are donors to One Heart Health. They also volunteer with the organization. Haley’s mother Keri, a heritage tour specialist from Minnesota, shared Haley’s CHD story.

Haley was found alone in a Tianjin hospital waiting room. Three months old and showing signs of cyanosis. We will likely never know the events leading up to that day, but we are grateful for the lifesaving surgery she received shortly after. Six years later (with an abundance of luck, courage, and destiny) we became a family. The only visible sign she was born with CHD is the marvelous scar on her chest.

Today, Haley is a healthy, thriving, witty 16-year-old. Through my profession, I work with numerous families and representatives who visit orphanages throughout China. Many of these locations are remote and lack access to consistent and reliable healthcare. Reports of “blue babies” waiting for diagnosis and treatment is sadly not uncommon. Early detection is the critical first step to ensuring these children can lead long, healthy lives – and why we support One Heart Health and their effort to reach those most in need.  – Keri Beck, mother of CHD survivor Haley

Hear My Heart is an effort to hear the stories of those individuals and families affected by congenital heart defects (CHDs) and the value of cardiac screenings. One Heart Health believes that every child with heart disease should get a chance at a healthy life. Yet around the world 90% of kids with CHDs do not receive the treatment they need, often because they are never screened.

One Heart Health’s innovative phone app, when coupled with a digital stethoscope, is a portable and inexpensive way to enable heart screenings for kids in remote or under-resourced areas. Over 24,000 children have already received heart screenings as a result of the One Heart Health, resulting in lives saved. Donations like Keri’s go to ensure more kids receive life-saving screenings.

Please consider a donation to One Heart Health to expand its services to more kids around the world. Donate today.

If you would like to share your family’s CHD story and why heart screenings are important to you, write us at give@onehearthealth.org.