HELP HEAL BROKEN HEARTS CAMPAIGN
5 Hearts. 5 Families. $25,000. Help us provide life-changing financial assistance to five families whose children with Down syndrome require heart surgery.
For families of children with Down syndrome, a heart surgery diagnosis can turn their world upside down.
Suddenly, life revolves around doctor appointments, hospital stays, medical procedures, and the overwhelming fear of what lies ahead.
And while parents are focused on their child’s health, the financial responsibilities of everyday life don’t stop.
At Angels in Disguise, we believe no family should have to navigate this journey alone.
That’s why we’re launching our 2026 Year-End Giving Campaign: 5 Hearts. 5 Families. $25,000.
Our goal is to raise $25,000 by December 31, 2026, to provide five families with $5,000 grants in 2027 through our Help Heal Broken Hearts program.
These grants help relieve financial pressures associated with a child’s heart surgery, including travel expenses, time away from work, and everyday household needs.
Because when your child’s heart needs healing, your focus should be on your child, not how you’re going to pay the bills.
Meet Legend: A Little Heart, An Incredible Fighter
At just four months old, Legend underwent open-heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect known as an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD).
Before surgery, Legend barely had the energy to do anything other than eat and sleep.
He needed to reach 12 pounds before doctors could operate, a milestone he barely met with the help of fortified calories and a feeding tube.
But after surgery, everything began to change.
His family noticed almost immediately that he had more energy, more strength, and a renewed excitement for life.
Today, at two and a half years old, Legend is thriving!
He’s pulling himself up to stand, taking steps while holding his mother’s hands, and exploring the world around him. His heart checkups have become less frequent, and his family is hopeful for continued progress.
Legend’s family received financial assistance from Angels in Disguise during their journey.
His story reminds us why every heart matters.
Why This Mission Is Personal to Me A Message From Kristin Walls, Executive Director of Angels in Disguise
I was just 20 weeks pregnant when I learned that my daughter, Ava, would need open-heart surgery.
Before I ever held her in my arms, I was already carrying the fear of what her future might hold.
But nothing could have prepared me for what happened after she was born.
At just two weeks old, we nearly lost Ava to heart failure.
There are no words to describe what it feels like to watch your newborn baby fight for her life. The fear, the helplessness, and the desperate prayers are moments I will carry with me forever.
When Ava was four months old, she underwent open-heart surgery.
I will never forget handing my baby girl over to the surgical team, knowing that her tiny heart was in their hands.
Today, I look at Ava and see a little girl full of joy, determination, personality, and love. Every laugh, every milestone, and every moment with her is something I will never take for granted.
But I also know that while a family is fighting for their child’s life, the rest of the world doesn’t stop. Bills still arrive. Parents miss work. Expenses add up.
And the last thing a parent should have to worry about during those moments is how they’re going to make ends meet.
That’s why Help Heal Broken Hearts is more than just a program to me.
It’s personal. It’s a mission I have lived. And it’s a promise to help other families facing the same fear and uncertainty we once faced.
Through Angels in Disguise, I have the opportunity to turn one of the most frightening chapters of my life into hope and support for another family.
Because I’ve been that mom. And I want every family walking this journey to know they are not alone.
Will You Help Us Heal a Heart? Consider Making a Donation Today
Every child deserves the chance to grow, laugh, play, and experience all the beautiful moments life has to offer.
For families facing their child’s heart surgery, your generosity can mean so much more than financial assistance. It can mean peace of mind, hope, and the comfort of knowing they are not alone.
Our goal is to raise $25,000 to help five families in 2027, providing each with a $5,000 grant through our Help Heal Broken Hearts program.
Whether you give $25, $100, or an amount that is meaningful to you, every donation brings us one step closer to healing another heart.
Become a Monthly Angel Join Our $21/Month Angel Club
What if just $21 a month could help make a lasting difference in the life of a child with Down syndrome?
By joining our $21/Month Angel Club, you become part of a special community of supporters who believe every child deserves love, opportunity, and a future full of possibilities.
Your monthly generosity helps Angels in Disguise continue providing adoption grants, heart surgery assistance, and educational opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.
A Special Thank You for Our Monthly Angels!
As a token of our appreciation, new Angel Club members will receive an exclusive Angels in Disguise T-shirt.
It’s a special way to wear your support proudly and help spread our mission wherever you go!
$21 a month. A lasting impact. A community of angels making a difference.