Happy New Year from Maureen : January 10, 2010

Dear Family & Friends,

I wanted to wish you all a very happy healthy New Year from the bottom of my 'healing' heart. Every day I get stronger. My doctors tell me I am a miracle, Most people do not live through what I went through. I have decided that my Congestive Heart Failure (or CHF) and I will be around for a very long time (that is if I have anything to say about it)!

Thank you to every one of you who have said prayers for me and sent me good thoughts. I am not a religious person, but I do believe in prayer and all your prayers worked - I feel them to this day. This battle of mine is not over but with my loving husband and my amazing family and all my friends support I will live to be 100.

I don't know how to put into words my gratitude for the donations that keep coming in to 'Mend A Heart'. All the hard work my kids did, and every single person who has spread the word for others to ask for donations. The concerts, benefits, wine bar parties, word of mouth, office collections, anonymous people, and so much more that I don't even know about. I am not able to see much of the site, it is too overwhelming for me to see it at this point. Right now what I know about it is from people telling me and I am amazed at the out pour of love.

With much love and HUGE hugs,
Maureen

ps, please forward

January 1, 2010

Thirty days ago we put up a website for our mom. As we enter this digital decade, Help Mend A Heart now exists to pose new concepts of philanthropy.

Update: December 17, 2009

Our mom came home from the hospital over the weekend. She is extremely weak, but happy to be in her own bed. We are not so certain she will need the heart transplant. She is on eight different medications, including one to clear up an infection in her foot. Her blood pressure remains very low and must be monitored. She still cannot have calls or visitors and she has already been back to Broward General since being "released". We are told there is a long recovery road ahead. Our plan is still to get her to Jackson Memorial for an evaluation, but until Medicaid is approved this seems unlikely.

We spent some time talking with our mom about the good that has come out of this. The proof of the power of prayer and the power of community. She said she learned that "NOTHING is important except for the people in your life." We ask that you keep those prayers and positive energy coming. The fund raising helps too. We have already begun to pay for medication with the help of your donations.

We have also begun the process of forming a Non-Profit Organization in the name of Help Mend A Heart. Once our mom is better, with all of your support, we want to continue to help other people. Ordinary people who might get sick and suddenly find themselves in need. We think social media can be really powerful and we want to show people how to rally support for their own families who otherwise might not know where to begin in an emergency such as the one we were faced with three weeks ago.

We see the efforts you are putting towards this. We know everyone is doing what they can. We are grateful and we are blessed.

♥

Posted on December 1, 2009:

Maureen is our mom and you can help us save her life. On Friday, November 27th, she was rushed to Broward General Medical Center CVICU due to a sudden, unidentified infection which has severely weakened her heart. She is in critical, yet stable condition with only 10% of her heart working on it's own. The doctors tell us they are limited and it may be in her best interest to be transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital for a heart transplant. However, issues with(out) insurance are making things complicated and slow. Maureen is a firm believer in prayer and asked us to tell everyone we know to pray for her. She needs a tidal wave of SUPPORT, in any way, shape or form. Time is extremely sensitive and every minute that goes by, she is fighting. Please share this website with everyone you know and help us mend our mother's heart. You never think it could happen to you, but it's happening to us right now.

If you'd like to make a financial donation, you can give any amount by clicking on the Donate button below. We are working on making the donations tax deductible, but even $1 can make a difference.

If you'd like to get in touch or send a message to Maureen, you can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Daniel @ 760-216-0534. We will continue to update this site and we love you all for your support.

♥,

Jordan & Mandy, Edra & Alex, Daniel & Jill,
and the rest of our mom's family & friends.