The First Annual
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness
Cross Country Ski, Hike and Sled

Saturday, February 8th we held our “First Annual Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Cross Country Ski, Hike & Sled” at Pottle’s Tree Farm in Perry Maine in memory of Seamus Carroll Duffy, a child born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The event raised funds for families caring for children with congenital heart defects as well as increased awareness about the number one birth defect (CHD’s).

The day was a huge success, exceeding our highest expectations, thanks to some 85 participants, 40 additional donors, 23 volunteers and 8 business sponsors each and all who helped to make the day possible. We are especially grateful to Jim and Sandra Pottle for allowing us to ski, sled , snowshoe and hike on the beautiful forested and groomed trails of their Tree Farm.

Proceeds (over $2000) will be donated to the Cardiac Program Special Fund at Children's Hospital Boston. The ups and downs of caring for a child in the hospital are tremendous, not to mention the financial strains that lengthy hospital stays place on families. The Cardiac Program Special Fund will provide financial support for families with needs such as housing, food and travel.

Thank you everyone! Let us know your ideas for next year.

Here are some pictures from the day:

Canine (“Joy”) welcomes participants

Clark, a child with Hypoplastic Left 
Heart Syndrome (HLHS) munching on a 
donut. He has completed two of the three
open-heart surgeries necessary for treatment.

Skiers heading out on the 5K trail.

One of our volunteers enjoying the trail.

Getting warm and eating chili and
hotdogs by the fire at the end of the ski.

Happy skiers!

Content at days end-Stronghearts Directors 
and Officers: Andrew Carroll, Sue Duffy,
Brian Duffy

© Stronghearts 2003