The Event: Some 280 supporters of the Children’s Heart Foundation enjoyed the 3rd annual Red Tie Ball held at the University Club of Chicago on Dec. 10. The evening was also planned to raise awareness and funding for advances in congenital heart defect research for the Foundation.
Dr. John M. Costello,medical director Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Tarek Husayni, pediatric cardiologist and founding member of the Heart Institute for Children, were honored with the Congenital Heart Defect Medical Champion Award.
Since 1996, CHF has funded more than $9.6 million in research projects. The leading non-profit solely devoted to congenital heart defect research, CHF’s mission is to fund the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects.
Cause célebre: “Heart defects are the most common and the most deadly of birth defects,” said Martha Hauber of Glenview, board president. “One in 100 kids is afflicted with this and the research helps to prevent, diagnose and treat congenital heart defects.”
Statistics show that some 40,000 babies are born with CHD annually in the U.S. “The vast majority of those being born now have been helped by our research,” said Hauber.
Tamara Thomas of Columbus, Ohio, is CHF’s national board president. Her son was born with CHD. “(The doctors) told us ‘do not expect him to live’,” said Thomas. Today her son is 21 years old.
“That’s why it is so important for us to continue to fund new scientists so all the babied that continue to be born (with CHD) can lead healthy lives,” said Thomas.
“The challenge,” said Heather Shaffer of Chicago, event co-chairman, “Is that there are incredible, innovative projects out there that we are unable to fund because we simply run out of money. The science is there but the dollars are not.”
Bottom line: The benefit raised more than $260,000 for congenital heart defect research. More at childrensheartfoundation.org