Hands of Hope
Recognizing Our Hands of Hope Heart Warriors
Did you know that nearly 1 in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect (CHD)? CHDs can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works, but despite being one of the most common birth defects, half of parents have never heard of CHD until their child has been diagnosed.
At Hands of Hope, Agape Care South Carolina’s pediatric program, we’re honored to provide care for any child managing a life-limiting illness or condition, including CHD. Every year, we recognize Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, a time dedicated not only to raising public awareness but also to celebrating children with congenital heart defects and their families.
This year, CHD Awareness Week was held February 7 through February 14, and during that time, we were honored to share a few stories on our social media about the heart warriors we’ve cared for at Hands of Hope over the years.
We’d love for you to meet them. Their strength inspires us, and we hope their stories will encourage those living with a CHD and their loved ones.
Meet Abby
Abigail “Abby” is a heart warrior born with tetralogy of fallot (TOF) with pulmonary atresia. Hands of Hope had the opportunity to support Abby and her family as she underwent six corrective surgeries. She is a Hands of Hope graduate living with CHD.
Meet Gloria
Gloria is a heart warrior born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. At just 8 days old, Gloria underwent her first open-heart surgery and had her second seven months later. During this time, Hands of Hope had the pleasure to walk alongside Gloria and her family as they navigated their CHD journey. Gloria is a Hands of Hope graduate living with CHD.
Meet Diyari
Diyari is a heart warrior born with tetralogy of fallot (TOF) with pulmonary atresia. We met Diyari as a newborn living with a CHD, and our team supported him and his family through three open-heart surgeries. Diyari is now 2 and has graduated from Hands of Hope.
Meet Sebastian
Sebastian is a heart warrior born with a complicated CHD. Sebastian, who underwent open-heart surgery at just 1 week old, has single ventricle, tricuspid atresia, SVT, and pulmonary atresia. Hands of Hope is honored to have been by Sebastian and his family’s side since he was first brought home through his second stage heart surgery recovery. Sebastian is a tough heart warrior living with a CHD.
Meet Kaden
Kaden is a heart warrior born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a CHD that affects blood flow through the heart. To manage his CHD, Kaden has gone through three open-heart surgeries, with one more to come. Our team has had the pleasure to care for Kaden during his first 16 months of life; he is now 2 years old and is living with his CHD.
Meet Zelda
Zelda is a heart warrior born with Ebstein anomaly, a rare CHD that affects the tricuspid valve. To manage her CHD, Zelda has endured two open heart surgeries in the first 6 months of her life. Hands of Hope has had the pleasure to care for Zelda through her surgeries to full recovery.
To learn more about congenital heart defects, visit: