Our son Gus has a Superhero Heart.

We told him that when he first noticed his beautiful scar.  He looks at it, traces it and smiles his shy, almost trying to stop himself from smiling smile that really means he’s proud of himself.  He already knows that superheroes are cool.

Augustus James Semrick, Gus, was born with a Congenital Heart Disease. 

He doesn’t know what that means yet, but we do.  We know what’s behind that scar and how blessed/lucky/grateful we are to see that scar every day.

We also know that:

• Gus was one of the 1 in 110 children born with a CHD.

• 25% of children born with a CHD will need a surgery or other interventions in their first year of life to survive.

• 25% of children born with a complex CHD will not see their first birthday.

Because of advancements made through research, death rates from CHDs in the U.S. have declined by 37.5% since 1999 and today more infants with CHDs survive to adulthood because of these advancements.  Yet, CHD research is highly under-funded relative to the prevalence of the disease.

In honor of Gus’ fast approaching third birthday on October 23rd, Team Gus is asking your help in supporting the Children’s Heart Foundation as we participate in this year’s Virtual Heart Walk on October 25th. 

This has been a crazy year with tons of changes and challenges, but we can’t back down in our fight against CHD. 

Now, more than ever, the world needs more Superhero Hearts!

With Gratitude,

Matt, Michelle, Ruby and Gus