Golf Fore Hearts

As newlyweds, Sam and Mike were excited to start their family. Soon enough, they found out that they were welcoming a baby girl into the world. But at their 20-week ultrasound, their excitement quickly turned to fear when the doctors at Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital discovered that their little girl Genevieve Jean (Evie) had an uncommon heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries (T.G.A). The Cardiology team at Lurie Children’s Heart Center stepped in and broke the devastating news – Evie would need open-heart surgery just days after birth.

<“Sam and I were terrified and heartbroken by this news and had no idea how to process the diagnosis,” said Mike. “It was at this point that the team at Lurie Children’s Heart Center really shined. They eased our minds, walked us through the process, and held our hands the entire way. They cared and it showed.”

Month after month, during fetal echo scans, fear was slowly replaced with laughter and hope, thanks to the unwavering support of their medical team. When Evie was born, she faced the fight of her life, a nearly 9-hour open-heart surgery. Their little warrior pulled through with flying colors. After three weeks in the CCU, Sam and Mike were heading home with their baby girl.

From diagnosis to discharge, the team at Lurie Children’s became their guiding light. Grateful for the care they received, Sam and Mike wanted to give back to the hospital that not only saved their daughter's life but also to the team that supported them throughout their journey. 

Golf Fore Hearts

Today, the Guzman family is proud to host their annual golf outing Golf Fore Hearts. Their mission is to spread awareness about congenital heart disease and encourage families to insist on the necessary scans and tests that can detect these conditions, possibly saving a child’s life. And to raise money to help fund the Lurie Children’s Heart Center and the many families in need of their care. The funds raised by G.F.H. will go towards equipment, research, supplies, and training of future physicians who will save countless children who suffer from congenital heart defect. Raising over $35,000 their first two years, they are excited to host their 3rd Annual Golf outing at this July.

“Choosing to fundraise for Lurie Children’s was an easy decision to make,” said Sam. “While we will never be able to repay them for the care they gave my daughter, it is important to help in any way we can, whether financially or by raising awareness for the quality of care that the Hospital can provide patients and their families.”

If you are interested in making a meaningful impact like the Guzman family, visit our website to learn how you can start your own fundraiser.  

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