Support For Families Affected by Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)
Assistance when you need it, and a community to journey with you.
Only Ministry of our Kind
While other organizations support CHD research, we alone provide support and community for families affected by CHD.
We’ve Been in Your Shoes
Heart Warrior Ministries was founded by a couple who experienced the gap of resources during their son’s CHD battle.
Governed by Faith
Motivated by our Christian Faith, we are committed to providing support for families in need. We’re accountable to our God and Board of Directors as we honor this commitment.
82% of families with a child in the ICU due to a heart defect incur over $1,000 of out-of-pocket expenses each month.
The Costs of CHD Are Overwhelming
While the battles of families affected by CHD vary, the lack of support and available resources is evident to all.
Many families require
Additional Housing
Significant Food Costs
Parking Expenses
Special Formula
Other Extraneous Costs
These expenses are almost always out of pocket. Often on a credit card.
We Are Here to Help.
If a family is courageous enough to support a child through open heart surgery and recovery, they deserve to be fully supported in every way.
Formula & Supplies
Through the Robin’s Nest, we provide formula, NG tubes, Gtube Feeding bags and other supplies for parents caring for a child after CHD surgery.
Financial Assistance
Through The Good Samaritan Project, we help cover many out-of-pocket expenses incurred by families experiencing extended hospital stays.
Community
Through The Oasis for Dads and our Evergreen Program, we provide community for those who parent a child with CHD.
A CHD Diagnosis is Earth-Shattering and Isolating
It’s easy on D-Day (diagnosis day) to be consumed with fear. Can I do this life? Am I strong enough? Because in that moment, you realize that life with your little one looks very different than you ever expected it would.
We get it. We’ve been there. And we can confidently tell you - there is hope. You can do it. You are strong enough. You are not alone. We’re here for you every step of the way.
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![2 Year Old Elijah, who was born with a Congenital Heart Defect]()
"Take a deep breath, let yourself grieve, but as soon as you're ready, start looking for a community and doctors you trust - those two things will give you so much peace and stability in the roller coaster of this journey."
Susie, Elijah’s mom
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![1 year old Cillian and his dad smiling, after Cillian survived two heart surgeries and a cardiac arrest]()
"Try your best not to bottle your emotions and share with others through the process. It’s a tough balance - wanting to be the rock your child can lean on and to not let them see your fears, but sharing with your spouse helps give them a sense of your good days and bad days."
Sam, Cillian’s Dad
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![6-month old little girl smiling around her feeding tube.]()
"This kid will be stronger than you will ever expect."
Shiane, Madelyn’s Mom
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![Baby Cillian, cardiac arrest survivor, laughing as his mom gives him raspberries.]()
"You are stronger than you think 💪🏻"
Brynne, Cillian’s Mom
Are you a “Heart Warrior” Parent?
Let’s get acquainted.
Contact us
Please complete this short form to open a line of communication. We look forward to hearing from you!
We’ll Connect
We will review your information and reach out to connect.
You’ll get Support
We will stand with you through the unpredictable ups and downs that life with a heart defect can bring. If you are in the fight, so are we, every step of the way.
Our Motivation and Commitment
We Believe
In the goodness of God despite suffering through the hope that lies beyond the grave through salvation, offered freely to everyone by engaging in a relationship with Jesus.
“For we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
-Romans 5:3-5
We Serve
Individuals and families affected by Congenital Heart Defects by carrying the many burdens that so many face while journeying through life with CHD.
“Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
-Galatians 6:2
We Promise
To stand with each child, parent, and individual affected by CHD through the unpredictable ups and downs that life with a heart defect can bring. If you are in the fight, so are we, every step of the way.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
-Matthew 25:35-40
About Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are the most common birth defects to occur in the United States with an estimated 40,000 births per year (1 in every 100 births).
Considering the prevalence of disease compared to other populations, CHD is one of the most underfunded disease groups.
Due to the lack of funding and research, the causes to various forms of CHD are still unknown.
Congenital Heart Defects can be recessive or dominant and do not discriminate against race, gender, or ethnicity.
Awareness is critical to increase research into areas that help determine causes of defects and ultimately cures, and expand support to families supporting a child with CHD.
Currently, this research is where the majority of financial support for CHD goes. We are so grateful for nonprofits conducting this vital research and pray that future generations will not have to experience CHD.
While CHD is still a common diagnosis, families affected by a child with a congenital heart defect need support. That’s where we come in.
Heart Warrior Ministries aims to meet the needs of families affected by CHD through our range of initiatives, focusing on the practical, financial, emotional and spiritual needs of families walking the journey of CHD.
Our Founders’ Story
Sam and Brynne’s firstborn son, Cillian, was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and was born with only half of a heart. Upon his birth, they navigated what the heart community calls the “year from hell” as Cillian fought for a chance to survive.
After his second major heart surgery, Cillian had a major cardiac arrest. His heart stopped beating for 31 minutes. He lost a lot of oxygen to his brain and was put on life support. He suffered through countless seizures followed by a medically induced coma, and they started losing hope.
“It felt like the world was spinning beneath our feet and we were standing still.”
They lived in the hospital for nine long, agonizing months before finally going home.
By leaning into her faith in her time of suffering, Brynne was inspired to publish their story and use the proceeds from the book to begin Heart Warrior Ministries.
Sam and Brynne are passionate about helping children, couples, and families navigate some of the hardest life experiences brought about by Congenital Heart Disease.
For and in-depth view of Cillian’s journey, follow @our_warrior_cillian
Did your 20-Week Ultrasound Reveal a Congenital Heart Defect?
These are questions you may be asking…
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While survival rate for those diagnosed with CHD is around 86% (Cite: HERE) more severe conditions pose a higher mortality rate.
For example, only 20-60% of children with HLHS survive the first year of life (Cite: HERE).
While this statistic is hard to digest, especially for newly diagnosed families, the surgical interventions are increasing those rates of survival every year as medicine continues to advance. This is why awareness of CHD is critical, since awareness leads to funding, funding to research, and research to cures.
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Around 70% of children born with critical CHD are now expected to survive adulthood. (Cite: HERE)
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An updated list of the top pediatric heart centers in the US can be found here.
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Some families choose this option due to the critical nature of the child's defect.
Not only was Cillian's type of CHD one of the most severe, but within that critical type he had the worst form of his defect.
While many children with HLHS have some left ventricle missing or non functioning, Cillian had absolutely none. As the doctors put it, "Its like the valve leading to what was supposed to be his left ventricle was soldered shut."
Given the severity of his condition we were encouraged by several to abort or consider compassionate care. While the first was never an option, we did consider compassionate care. But after much prayer we felt like the Lord was convicting us to pursue the three surgical options that give hope to a life with CHD.
The first operation is the Norwood procedure done immediately after birth.
The second operation is the Glenn procedure given anywhere from 6-9 months old.
The third operation is the Fontan procedure given 2-3 years old.
These carry risk and complications which we knew, but they are advancing quickly every year giving more families hope for a more normal, longer life with CHD.
We believe that in faith, the Lord will convict your family's heart into what His will is for your (and your baby's) life, whether that is the surgical option or compassionate care.
We suspect you’re asking these questions as these are many of the questions we asked after the ultrasound when we learned of Cillian’s HLHS Diagnosis. We longed for someone to help us navigate this journey, and welcome the opportunity to journey your child’s diagnosis with you.
- Sam & Brynne Bish