The mission of Mended Little Hearts (MLH) of Colorado Springs is to make
a positive impact in the lives of southern Colorado children, teens and
adults facing pediatric and congenital heart disease by providing them
and their families a caring support network. Congenital heart defects
(CHD) are the #1 birth defect in the world. About 1 out of every 100
babies are born each year with a CHD, approximately 40,000 per year.
This year, approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first
birthday because of CHD’s.
The Dynamite's Technical Director & Coach, Chuck Estrada, has a very special relationship with
Mended Little Hearts; not only does he volunteer on the leadership team
he is also a survivor of Congenital Heart Defect but is awaiting heart
transplant. Chuck devotes his time and what little energy he has on a
daily basis between the team and this wonderful group. This season the Denver Dynamite
felt that it was a perfect way to show our appreciation to both MLH and
Coach Estrada by forming this partnership to help spread the word about the #1
killer of children in the US!
"These kids are incredible and brave and I want to show kids and parents
alike that someone who has dealt with this disease can become whoever
they want, like a soccer player or soccer coach!".
Estrada goes on to say "CHD survivors are just that... Survivors! In the end we are not
defined by our less than whole hearts, we are defined by who and how our
hearts reach!"
Mended Little Hearts of Colorado Springs provides support and education for families whose newborns have been diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defects and Disease. The donations that we receive both online and off are used to fund our care bags to support inpatient families at the local hospitals. We host monthly support group meetings, children’s activities and provide families with food, education and support while they are living at the hospital or nearby facilities. Many of the families that we serve will spend weeks or months away from home while their newborn babies and children undergo procedures to save their lives. Procedures can be simple such as repairing a small hole in the heart through a catheter or as complex as open heart surgery.The Denver Dynamite 's next home match is at 3:15pm on Sunday, January 13th at the Apex Field House in Arvada. Tickets are only $5 per adult, with a portion of the proceeds going back to Mended Little Hearts of Colorado springs, and kids under 12 or wearing a Colorado Youth Soccer jersey gets in free all season!!
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