Letter: Heart walk will help advance research

Many people ask us, why do we walk at the Linn County Heart Walk? The answer is always simple: we walk for Hayden.

Our son was born on Jan. 21, 2011, with a congenital heart defect. Just six days later he had to have open heart surgery. His first of three total surgeries before the age of 4.

Almost one in 100 babies in this country are born with some kind of heart defect. A congenital heart defect (CHD) requires lifelong care from doctors who specialize in treating adults with a CHD.

Thanks to American Heart Association funded research, greater understanding of congenital heart defects have increased and when we wake up each morning, there is no better feeling than knowing our son has a bright future ahead of him.

It's our hope that no other parent experience the devastating news of hearing that their child has a heart condition. That's why we support the American Heart Association.

Children like Hayden, will get to smile and laugh tomorrow because of what this organization is doing to fund medical advancements and research today. Research is the key to saving babies' lives.

I hope you join us at 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at McGrath Amphitheatre as we walk toward healthy hearts at the heart walk.

Register by visiting www.linncountyheartwalk.org or call the American Heart Association at (319) 378-1763.

Everyone has a ‘why.' What's yours?

Ryan and Samantha Grimm

Center Point