First Annual Heart Walk of Michigan!

Brogan staying dry, well all but the feet!

Bananas for Brogan officially got to participate in the first annual CHD Heart Walk today! Well technically it was yesterday but I haven't been to bed yet so it's today still. So Saturday we were a part of the large group of wonderful people who gathered to support the funding of research and awareness of CHD's! Yes we are still taking donations! Our small team consisted of myself, my adoring husband, mini me, the banana, and of course Brogan himself. We raised money through wristband sales (they say Bananas for Brogan) and a couple of bake sales. We haven't even hit the mark to get a free t-shirt yet, but we are still working on it!

For the walk though we didn't get the banana (she had a funeral) but we got my mom and hubby's cousin Renee.

Some of the bandannas I made the hubby help with!

We made bandannas that of course said Bananas for Brogan for the walkers that participated for our team, but of course I forgot to get them out of the car before the walk started. At least we were all wearing our wristbands! It was amazing to see so many people out to participate in an event like this and we will be a part of anymore that are in the future! I have met some heart moms at the Ronald McDonald House when everything was still new to me and still confusing, and I have met even more online through blogs. So it meant a lot to me when I could be in the same place with numerous other families that are experiencing something similar to our journey. You didn't have to over explain everything you say when they asked what your little Heart Warrior was born with. They understand all the lingo that comes up. They understand the tears that spring to your eye without notice when you hear of another little baby who is now a Heart Angel. They understand the mini celebrations for each new month and each new smile. A lifelong connection comes with the honor of having a Heart Warrior or a Heart Angel that get to share their perfect broken hearts, even for just a short time.

So I met a wonderful woman who has a beautiful little girl that was born with a CHD. We also got to hear the story of another little girl who is now a Heart Angel. If I had to stand in front of  a group of Heart Parents and their supporters, I don't think I could do it with half the grace and determination that was displayed by these two women. It makes you realize you are apart of something that is changing the future. We will find better ways of mending little hearts, we will make sure every little baby born with a CHD is given a fighting chance, we will bring greater awareness so it's not a secret club only meant for those with experience.



 After the speakers we got to release balloons. Brogan was a little tired I think and didn't really mind at all that the balloon escaped his fist. I tried to show them floating in the sky but it was still raining so he didn't really care for looking up.

Then came the walk. We all headed out in a big group and slowly the group split into two groups. We were somewhere in between the two groups, so at the very end of the first and the somewhat beginning of the second. It was still rainy for the walk to but it was refreshing knowing we were walking for a cause! When we finally made the finish line we were handed red ribbons to pin on and they called the winners of the 50/50 raffle! I never win anything that I enter myself into but I was surprised today to learn that we won a handmade baby quilt! That's pink! For my son!? Oh well guess we are just gonna have to have a girl now!

This is the groups in front of us.

This is the group behind us, with the wonderful Renee in the front!