“’Somewhere Over the Rainbow…’ a dream is wished for all babies born with congenital heart defects to survive and thrive…”
My wife came up with this opening message just minutes before I uploaded the video to YouTube. It was perfect. I wanted a message that every single person that has a connection to congenital heart defects could relate to and support. Thank you coming up with the right message, Lucy!
“Thanks to our heroic heart doctors, nurses, and faith… ‘The dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.’”
My daughter would not be alive if it weren’t for the doctors and nurses from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the prayers and faith from our family and friends.
That’s where this all comes from. I wanted to create a video that the congenital heart defect (CHD) community can rally behind, and at the same time show how grateful we are of all of the medical professionals that save our babies lives every day.
Just before Christmas, I started reaching out to my friends in the CHD world, asking if the dads and their kids would be up to singing a “Wizard of Oz” song for a CHD awareness video.
The response I received immediately was overwhelming and fantastic.
First, and foremost, I have to thank my co-producer on this, Boston’s own, Donnie Wilson. Donnie went above and beyond from the beginning, helping to get multiple dads singing with their babies, as well as Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Pediatric Heart Center of Rhode Island.
Donnie’s son Jacob was diagnosed with ‘Critical Aortic Stenosis’ at the Pediatric Heart Center of Rhode Island. Jacob had open-heart surgery with Dr. Gerald Marx at Boston Children’s Hospital.
My original thought was to have doctors singing individually. Turns out that doctors are great at taking care of our babies, but they’re not so great at singing individually, so Donnie got the two hospitals to sing as a choir.
I also have to thank Kirsten Runkle from the American Heart Association for going with Donnie on the shoots, and supporting this project from the start!
Dr. Loren Wold, who is the principal investigator at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital was also a great help. Loren helped rally a team together at his hospital, and over multiple shoot days, they got the perfect shot. Loren is also the Chair of the Medical Advisory Board at the phenomenal Saving Tiny Hearts Society, a CHD research funding charity, that my family is proud to be a part of. Brian Paul, the founder of Saving Tiny Hearts Society, also sang with his son Joshua, adding some comic relief to this heavy (at times video).
Lauren Gray, an adult CHD survivor was also instrumental to the success of this video. She is seen singing at the very end of the video, but more of her assistance was behind the scenes. Lauren encouraged the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital to contribute, and she as also helped lead our promotional efforts after the video was released.
Lauren is the CHD Awareness Chair for the nationwide Mended Little Hearts organization. Lauren promoted the video on a national level, as well as encouraging each local Mended Little Hearts team to share the video.
I can’t thank all of the dads individually, but I do want to thank Bodie, and his dad Dusk. Bodie was roommates with my daughter Barbara right after birth. They both went though surgery within the same few days, and now it is a thrill to see them playing together. Bodie’s mom, Amy Bennett, is one of the powerhouses behind the incredible organization, Sisters By Heart.
I also need to give a quick shout to Trent Hamilton, who sang in the video with his son Tucker, and is involved with a fantastic cause, the Whole Hearts Foundation.
Finally, it was an incredible feeling going to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and having the nurses and doctors that saved my daughter’s life sing this song. We put Barbara’s life in their hands, and they sent her home with us within two weeks, happy and healthy.
Thank you Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for all that you do!
I think the key behind “CHD Dads Sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’” was many different organizations, hospitals, and families coming together for one important cause.
Let’s save the lives of even more babies born with congenital heart defects.
Find out where your state stands on mandatory screening for congenital heart defects at PulseOxAdvocacy.com