Category: Heart Stories

I remember as if it happened yesterday. Not even two months into the pregnancy, we got referred to BC Women’s Hospital for a series of tests and found out our baby had a congenital defect that she would have to endure her whole life.

We were all very excited when we got the email to let us know that our family had been one of the lucky ones selected to attend the Lower Mainland CHN Family Camp.

Kai was born on Friday the 13th, and despite the superstitions, I had always considered 13 to be my favourite number. He was born by urgent Caesarean section, as he was past his due date and a non-stress test showed that he was not coping well anymore.

This was our first time at Camp Thunderbird and only our second time attending a Children’s Heart Network event. What a great experience and invaluable opportunity to meet some other heart families.

My name is Zoë Gilliard. I’m 16 years old and a member of Hearts of Gold. I was lucky enough to be able to go to Zajac Ranch over the May long weekend.

We had feelings of anticipation and excitement about being pregnant, the same ones many first-time parents have. So we were worried when we went for our first ultrasound and heard there was an abnormality with our child’s heart.

The day Seth arrived was a happy day. He was a healthy 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and I was finally done with morning sickness. Little did we know what the next year would bring.

Looking at this smiling, 11-year-old boy, with his swept-to-the-side long hair, you would never guess the turbulent start he had in this world and what it has meant for us to be connected to the Children’s Heart Network during this time.

In early December 2014, I was diagnosed with pneumonia when I had just turned 12. I was going to see the doctors every second day to treat this when they discovered I had a heart murmur.