Par for the Course
This year we got super, super lucky in that we were chosen by Canyon’s Crown Restaurant and Pub to be the recipients of their 2019 Charity Golf Tournament. The tourny was hosted at The Arizona National, which might be one of the most breathtaking spots in Pima County. Afterwards, we gathered at Canyon’s Crown for a luncheon and awards. If you’ve never been to an authentic British pub, you need to go. The food and the company are incredible. Thank you, Canyon’s Crown!
Heart Walk 2019
CHDFT is fortunate enough to have have a friendship with American Heart Association Tucson and the families that support it. This year, we were gifted a booth space as a place to gather and educate the walkers and Pokéman Go players who joined us at Reid Park. We met families who had never heard of us before, who are now connected with our support group and attending events. We shared healthy snacks and camaraderie as we celebrated our children. We spent time at the memorial wall remembering the tiny friends we’ve lost along the way, and we promised to never stop moving forward in the fight against CHD.
Family Connect
Our 2019 Family Connect Event was one for the books. Family Connect is a private event specifically designed to help CHD parents connect with cardiologists, surgeons, and other helpful practitioners in Southern Arizona. Our organization provides dinner, childcare, an engaging venue, and a program platform in order to facilitate learning and conversation. Questions for the doctors are crowd sourced from our private Facebook support page, and then presented by our moderator. This year we once again had the pleasure of engaging Alex Steineger from KGUN 9’s “The Morning Blend” as our emcee. Alex kept the program light and engaging, while parents looked forward to each answer, jotted down notes, and enjoyed a meal together.
Our heart kids also had a meal from El Molinitos while exploring the Children’s Museum of Tucson under the watchful eyes of nannies from Trusting Connections. After the program ended, Cardiologists were encouraged to visit with their patients and build trust with nary a white coat to be found.
In its second year, the Family Connect Event has become a significant event in the local cardiac community, and we look forward to its bigger, better return in 2020.
Summer Safety
In 2019 our “Be Safe Summer Gift Boxes” transformed (with the help of our magical Community Outreach Committee) into a Summer Safety Splash Party! Our heart community pulled together on a Saturday morning for some safe fun in the sun. Our gift boxes this year were actually drawstring backpacks filled with a beach towel, sunglasses, a Contigo water bottle, a mechanical cell phone fan, SPF 50 sunblock, and organic insect repellent.
Summers in Arizona are particularly tough on children with heart defects. Many of our children suffer from blood pressure issues or pacing issues that make them extra susceptible to heatstroke and other emergency issues. CHD Families of Tucson is committed to spreading both the supplies and the heat-safety education necessary to keep children safe over the summer!
