On November 11, 2008, “Friends 4 Heart” held its 1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament benefiting the Congenital Heart Program at Medical City Children’s Hospital (MCCH).  With the help of all of the gracious people who participated in the sold-out event, “Friends 4 Heart” ultimately raised an astonishing $70,000!  The staff at MCCH, including Dr. Eric Mendeloff, Surgical Director of the Congenital Heart Program, was presented with a check for $67,500 at a Jan. 16 ceremony held at MCCH.  “Heart-N-Hands,” a support group for families affected by congenital heart defects, also received a check for $2,500.

      “Friends 4 Heart” is a non-profit charity organization and was established in celebration of Jake Price, a Flower Mound, Texas boy who is living with the affects of a congenital heart defect.  The charity’s mission is to raise funds to benefit the research, treatment and support of children with congenital heart defects.  The desire is to help change children’s lives.

    Jake is proof that a child can thrive even when inflicted with a congenital heart defect. It was at the tender age of two days when Jake was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta – a pinch or narrowing of the aorta (the large blood vessel that branches off the heart and delivers oxygen-rich blood to the body), and stenosis of two major heart valves – the narrowing of heart valves which obstruct blood flow from the heart.  After undergoing a four hour surgery to repair one of his heart conditions, years followed with regularly scheduled check-ups from his team of doctors, including Dr. Jane Kao, at Medical City Children’s Hospital Heart Center.  Jake is currently nine years old.  While he is doing fine today, it is understood that he may eventually need to have another heart surgery in the future to repair his remaining heart conditions.
    

    The November 11th “Friends 4 Heart” golf tournament was held at the Bridlewood Golf Course in Flower Mound. Silent and live auctions also contributed to the raised funds. The full-to-capacity event also welcomed Dr. Eric Mendeloff as the special guest speaker for the evening. “Friends 4 Heart” would like to thank Medical City Children’s Hospital, Blackcreek Capital and Orthopedics Associates of Flower Mound/Lewisville for being Presenting Sponsors at the “Friends 4 Heart’s” 1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament.  A special thanks also goes out to the many volunteers who helped during the event and all of the additional event sponsors:  Aetna - MATRIX - Wade Hunt/Nationwide - American Messaging - BCBS/Prime Therapeutics - Cardiovascular Specialists - CIGNA - Delta Dental - Heart Center for Children - Jeff Brand & Associates with RE/MAX Signature Properties - Liberty Mutual - MetLife - Parker Square retail owners including Megan’s at Parker Square - Principal Financial - United Healthcare - VSP. For more info about Friends 4 Heart, visit www.friends4heart.org. 

- Special to The News Connection