MAKING LAS VEGAS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE
Broken hearts get help in Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Most of us don't think about our hearts until they aren't working and that's the case for a lot of Nevada kids. More than 38,000 of them have heart defects. But one group of people is determined to help. They're making Las Vegas a better place to live.
Maya and Soleil are best friends. They were born just one month apart and live close to each other. But something else bonds them too. They both have heart defects. Soleils' mom, Francine Sanchez says, "I am so blessed to have The Children's Heart Foundation in my life. It makes such a difference for my family. When we were in the family and going through a really tough time they were there to supply great things and above all emotional support. " The Children's Heart Foundation helps families in a variety of ways. They fund a camp experience for kids and cutting edge research. Board member Dr. William Evans says not long ago, these kids would have died. Now the survival rate is nearly 100%. "But there is much more to understand where and how do these problem occur. How do we take care of these kids better?" One of the simple ways the foundation works to take care of these kids is through these backpacks stuffed full of necessities for hospitalized kids and their families. Julie Downs is Miah's mom. She says the backpack program helps families feel like someone cares. "You're in the hospital and you're wearing the same clothes for days. You didn't expect to be there. You thought you were coming in for a cold and you and then you wind up in the hospital for a week or so. " As for the girls, they are doing well. Though Soleil has an uncertain future still. These Moms choose to focus on other families. Francine Sanchez says she wants other families to know they are not alone. "Every family needed something different and I think our foundation has become great at finding out what each family needs." If you'd like to help these children, consider heading to Double Helix in Town Square on Thursday night. The Foundation is holding a cocktail party with proceeds going to buy the emergency backpacks and fund research."








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