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Overcast Caring for the littlest hearts
Two Lynbrook mothers co-found L. I. chapter of ‘Mended Little Hearts’
As co-founders of the Long Island Chapter of Mended Little Hearts, Kaitlyn Beleckas and Shannan Pearsall, of Lynbrook, have found the issue of heart defects, support, and education very personal issues to their families. Beleckas’s daughter, Reagan, was born with multiple holes and congenital heart defects related to the left side of her heart, and Shannan’s son, Aidan, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
“Together, we’ve been able to provide support to one another,” said Pearsall. “It was important to be able to connect with someone who could relate to what my child and my family was going through.
“Upon hearing my daughter’s diagnosis during pregnancy I couldn’t help but wonder, why me?” Beleckas said. “I needed to hear that ‘this does stink, but you will get through it.’ To this day, Shannan is the first person I call after Reagan’s doctor’s appointments, because I know she will understand my fears and concerns. It is my hope that we can provide the same support to others.”
Congenital heart defects are the number one birth defect in the United States and the leading cause of birth defect related deaths in children under one year. Locally, Mended Little Hearts of Long Island is committed to creating awareness of this issue so that families who have children with these defects can have hope for a better future.
To kick off our new group, the first annual Mended Little Hearts picnic will be held on August 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cedar Creek Park, Seaford, NY.
To register for the picnic, email longislandny@mendedlittlehearts.org or visit longisland.mendedlittlehearts.net. Pre-Registration is required. Visit the website for group meetings, educational seminars, and events.
Little Hearts Hold Big Hopes
What: first annual Mended Little Hearts picnic
When: August 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Cedar Creek Park, Seaford, NY.
How: To register for the picnic, email longislandny@mendedlittlehearts.org or visit longisland.mendedlittlehearts.net. Pre-Registration is required.
