Help Sarah raise money

We are participating in the Heartbeat Run for and with our little heart warrior, Hudson, who is now one year old!

Hudson was born with a congenital heart defect called critical aortic stenosis. His aortic valve did not develop properly and was severely narrowed at birth. This also caused damage to his left ventricle, which had developed scar tissue while he was still in utero.

When Hudson’s diagnosis was confirmed before birth, his prognosis was uncertain. We did not know whether his left ventricle would recover once the narrowing of his valve was treated.

Hudson was born in Edmonton so he could have access to the expertise of the cardiology teams there. At just one day old and again at five weeks old, Hudson underwent a procedure called a balloon valvuloplasty to open his narrowed valve. We are incredibly grateful that his heart responded so well. His left ventricle has recovered and is now functioning within normal limits.

Hudson continues to regularly see a pediatric cardiologist in Saskatoon to monitor his heart function and valve. We know that he will likely need further interventions throughout his life, including open heart surgery to replace his valve. For now, we are hopeful that we can keep that day as far away as possible.

Hudson has been through more in his first year than any child should have to experience, from intubation and PICC lines to countless IVs and an infection he acquired while hospitalized. His first 53 days of life were spent in the NICU between Edmonton and Saskatoon.

Through it all, Hudson has remained our strong, happy and determined little guy.

We are participating in the Heartbeat Run to celebrate Hudson’s incredible first year, to honour the medical teams who have cared for him, and to support the babies, children and families across Saskatchewan whose lives are impacted by congenital heart defects.

We would be so grateful for your support as we walk/run for Hudson and for all of Saskatchewan’s little heart warriors.