"Brave Hearts: CHD Education and awareness

Over the past four months, the Brave Hearts Project has continued its commitment to supporting Hispanic families affected by congenital heart disease (CHD) through community-centered education, awareness, and emotional support. The project is designed to address the unique needs of families navigating the lifelong challenges associated with CHD by providing culturally relevant information in an accessible and compassionate environment. Through these efforts, families have been empowered with greater knowledge about CHD, available resources, and the importance of ongoing medical care and emotional well-being.

A key component of the project during this reporting period has been our community coloring book sessions, which provide children and families with an engaging and age-appropriate way to learn about congenital heart disease. These activities create opportunities for children to express themselves creatively while introducing important concepts about heart health and CHD in a way that is easier for young patients and their families to understand. The sessions also encourage family interaction and help create a supportive community where children living with CHD can feel seen, understood, and connected to others facing similar experiences.

The Brave Hearts Project has also conducted community educational outreach events, including the distribution of CHD educational flyers and informational materials. These events have helped increase awareness among Hispanic families and the broader community about congenital heart defects, the importance of early diagnosis, continued cardiology care, and the challenges families may encounter throughout a child's lifelong CHD journey. In addition, educational sessions with families of CHD patients have provided a more personal setting where caregivers can ask questions, receive information, and gain practical tools to better understand and support their children's medical and emotional needs.

An important aspect of Brave Hearts is recognizing that CHD affects not only the child but the entire family. For this reason, the project continues to incorporate emotional support and mental health awareness into its educational efforts. By creating safe spaces for families to share concerns, learn coping strategies, and connect with community resources, Brave Hearts seeks to strengthen resilience and reduce the sense of isolation that families may experience while managing a lifelong heart condition. The combination of culturally appropriate education, family engagement, and emotional support remains central to the project's goal of helping Hispanic families become more informed, confident, and resilient advocates for their children.

This reporting period has also been marked by the profound loss of Belén Blanton, President and Founder of Fundación Estrellita de Belén. Belén dedicated her life to educating, advocating for, and caring for children living with congenital heart disease. Her commitment to CHD children and their families was not simply part of her work—it was her lifelong passion and purpose. Her vision and compassion continue to inspire the Brave Hearts Project, and her legacy will live on through every family educated, every child supported, and every community touched by this important work.