Instagram story viewer> @thechf> Tagged

thechf

@thechf

9.6K

followers

324

following

We're advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of America's most common birth defect - congenital heart defects.❤️

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

❤️👟 SAN ANTONIO WALKERS, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We’re just TWO days away from the 2026 San Antonio Congenital Heart Walk! 🎉

💕 Who are you walking FOR?
🫶 Who are you walking WITH?

Are you celebrating a Heart Warrior, honoring a Heart Angel, or walking in support of someone you love?

❤️ Share your WHY and tag your teammates in the comments below! ⬇️

Let’s show some love to all the incredible teams coming together this Sunday!

📣 WALK TEAMS — SHARE THIS POST! Let’s see who’s walking with us!

#SanAntonioCongenitalHeartWalk #WhyWeWalk #HeartWarriors #HeartAngels #CHDAwareness #TheChildrensHeartFoundat

6

1

❤️‍🩹 SCAR APPRECIATION DAY

I was sitting here at Disneyworld resort with my family, watching my boys play in the pool, feeling incredibly grateful for this life and thinking about the scar I once tried so hard to hide.

At 19, I underwent open-heart surgery to repair a hole in my heart and two leaky valves. For years, I chose certain shirts, wore necklaces, and picked specific bathing suits to cover my scar. I was self-conscious of something that was a part of me.

Today, my perspective is different.

This body, despite facing challenges I was born with that I never asked for and cannot control, gave me the greatest gifts of my life: my two kids that I was able to birth with a vulnerable heart. I’ve always worked hard physically to fight against what’s working against me, to stay strong and to take care of the body that carries me through it all.

And now, I wear my scar proudly. It’s no longer something I feel I need to hide. It’s my badge of honour.

As I prepare for my second open-heart surgery, I have extreme mixed emotions. I’m scared of what’s ahead, but I’m also so grateful for how far I’ve come and all the beautiful moments in this life I get to experience.

I didn’t choose this journey, but I’m learning to wear my story with pride.

To anyone living with a scar, an invisible illness, or a body that doesn’t always cooperate with the life you imagined: I see you. You can be frustrated with what you’ve been dealt and still be grateful for the life you have. Both things can be true. ❤️

#ScarAppreciationDay #HeartWarrior #CHDAwareness #Motherhood #BodyConfidence

3

7

❤️ San Antonio, we’re just 3 DAYS AWAY! 👟🎉

We’re counting down to the 2026 San Antonio Congenital Heart Walk presented by University Health. And can’t wait to see all our incredible heart warriors, heart angels’ families, walk teams, friends and supporters come together again!

Last year’s walk was one for the record books! ❤️ Take a look back at some of our favorite moments from our record-setting 2025 walk. Let’s carry that same energy, love and community spirit into 2026!

✨ It’s not too late to get involved!
❤️ Register to walk or join a team
💙 Make a donation
🙌 Sign up to volunteer
📣 Help us spread the word!

Every step brings us closer to a future of stronger hearts and brighter tomorrows.

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026

🔗 Visit the Linktree in our bio for registration, donations, volunteer opportunities and event details!

We can’t wait to see everyone on Sunday! ❤️

#SanAntonioCongenitalHeartWalk #HeartWarriors #HeartAngels #CHDAwareness #TheChildrensHeartFoundation #SanAntonio #WalkFor

15

0

💙🪽 A Beautiful Legacy of Love | Honoring Heart Angel Frankie

Today, we’re sharing something incredibly special from one of our San Antonio heart families.

In loving memory of their son Frankie, who gained his angel wings in February 2024, Courtney and Jeremy Cady have created Frankie’s Blue Heart, a children’s book inspired by Frankie’s journey with congenital heart disease.

📘 Written by Courtney and illustrated by Jeremy, the book introduces children to hospital equipment as friendly, helpful companions, making unfamiliar medical experiences feel a little less scary and a lot more comforting.

Inspired by Frankie’s love of books, his parents have turned their love for him into something truly meaningful — helping other heart warriors and families feel understood, supported, and less alone. 💙

✨ Frankie’s family will be joining us at the San Antonio Congenital Heart Walk this Sunday, October 25!

Let’s show this wonderful family some love and help spread the word about Frankie’s Blue Heart!

💙 Visit the Linktree in our bio to learn more about the book and how you can support Frankie’s beautiful legacy.

🪽 Forever loved. Forever remembered.

#FrankiesBlueHeart #HeartAngel #HeartWarriors #CHDAwareness #SanAntonioCongenitalHeartWalk #TheChildrensHeartFoundation

34

1

❤️ HEART BY HEART WEDNESDAYS | EPISODE 2 ❤️ Thank you to @systemsofhope sponsor with @mrsunitedamerica and @thechf educational partner.

💗 This Week’s CHD: Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (d-TGA)

Did you know that in babies born with d-TGA, the two main arteries leaving the heart are switched? This creates two separate circulation pathways, making it difficult for oxygen-rich blood to reach the body without a way for blood to mix.

For many families, a d-TGA diagnosis means urgent medical care, heart surgery early in life, and a lifelong journey of specialized cardiac follow-up. But behind every diagnosis is a heart warrior with a unique story. ❤️

As Mrs. United America 2026 and a proud heart warrior mom, I’m passionate about bringing awareness to the many different congenital heart defects and the families navigating them every day.

I’m honored to partner with The Children’s Heart Foundation on the educational portion of this series as we continue raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and supporting CHD research.

💗 HEART WARRIOR SPOTLIGHT: Every warrior’s journey matters! Through this series, we’ll also be highlighting real heart warriors and their families, giving them a space to share their strength, milestones, and stories.

✨ Have a heart warrior story you’d like to share? Visit the interest form linked in my bio to participate in an upcoming feature!

📲 Save this post, share it with someone who could benefit, and join us every Wednesday as we explore another congenital heart defect.

❤️ Know the defect. Know the story. Know the heart.

👑 Mrs. United America 2026

#HeartByHeartWednesdays #Episode2 #dTGA #TranspositionOfTheGreatArteries #CHDAwareness CongenitalHeartDefects HeartWarrior HeartMom CHDFamily ChildrensHeartFoundation MrsUnitedAmerica2026 HeartWarriorStrong

19

3

🎁❤️ Our Silent Auction is LIVE!

Let the bidding begin! 🎉 Our 2026 San Antonio Congenital Heart Walk Silent Auction is officially open, and there’s something for everyone!

From beauty treatments, fitness classes, and family attractions to babysitting services, wine tastings, creative kids’ activities, custom holiday decorating services, and more — there are so many amazing items and experiences up for grabs!

❤️ Every bid supports The Children’s Heart Foundation and its mission to advance research that improves the lives of children born with congenital heart defects.

✨ A HUGE thank-you to the incredible local businesses and community partners who generously donated! We couldn’t do this without you. Be sure to check them out, give them a follow, and show them some love! 💕

🛍️ Ready to bid? Visit the Linktree in our bio to browse the auction and place your bids!

⏰ Bidding closes Sunday, October 25, at 11 AM CDT!

You don’t have to attend the walk to participate! Share with friends and family, and help us spread the word.

❤️ Happy bidding, San Antonio!

#SanAntonioCongenitalHeartWalk #SilentAuction #BidWithHeart #HeartWarriors #CHDAwareness #SupportLocalSA #ShopLocalSanAntonio #thechildrensheartfoundation

11

0

🎨❤️ Artist Spotlight | Art With Heart

Meet the artist behind our 2026 San Antonio Congenital Heart Walk poster!

We’re excited to celebrate local San Antonio artist Allison Villarreal (@ally.is.on), whose colorful and imaginative artwork brings this year’s event to life!

Featuring a heart-inspired playground filled with children, Allison’s design beautifully captures the joy of childhood, the strength of our heart warriors and the importance of coming together as a community. ❤️

We’re incredibly grateful to Allison for sharing her creativity and talent with The Children’s Heart Foundation!

✨ Love this year’s artwork? A special framed print of the official 2026 event poster will be available through our silent auction! Plus the Top Fundraising Team will also receive a print.

Join us this Sunday, October 25, as we walk for stronger hearts and brighter futures!

🎨 Artist: @ally.is.on
❤️ Silent auction: Link in bio

#SanAntonioCongenitalHeartWalk #ArtWithHeart #HeartWarriors #CHDAwareness #SanAntonioArtists #TheChildrensHeartFoundation

52

2

Some nights are just impossible to put into words. ❤️

Tonight was one of those nights I will carry in my heart forever.

I had the incredible honor of attending an event celebrating the extraordinary Dr. Redmond Burke, the surgeon who saved my son Jack’s life when he was just five days old.

To stand face-to-face with the man who gave our family the greatest gift imaginable and read him a speech expressing my gratitude was truly indescribable. Such a beautiful, emotional, full-circle moment. How do you ever adequately thank someone who gave your child a chance at life? ❤️

What made the evening even more meaningful was celebrating in partnership with The Children’s Heart Foundation, an organization whose mission is now so deeply personal to me.

I’m beyond excited and honored to be serving on the committee for the Palm Beach congenital heart walk this February! Being able to turn our family’s story into something that helps fund research, raise awareness, and give hope to other heart families means more to me than I can explain.

Four years ago, I was a terrified mother praying for my baby’s life. Tonight, I stood in a room celebrating the brilliant hands and beautiful hearts that make miracles like Jack’s possible.

Talk about a full-circle moment. 🥹❤️

Forever grateful. Forever advocating. And forever cheering on the incredible people working to give every child born with a heart defect the chance to grow up. ❤️

#HeartMom #CongenitalHeartDefects #CHDAwareness #TheChildrensHeartFoundation #HeartWarrior

64

3

Super excited to be a part of this phenomenal event! We will be giving away our affirmation gift boxes and celebrating all the children and families participating in the event. We'll even donate a portion of sales to the Foundation.

Please let me know if you'd like to register for the walk or just visit their site for the link. All are welcome!

Community work is something we take pride in and we are honored to do this with so many other great sponsors and participants.

4

1

I HAD THE BEST TIME!! ❤️
•
•
•
#missoklahomasteen #missgrandlakesteen #jumpstartyourheart #congenitalheartwalk #hearthealth

3

2

It was such an amazing experience volunteering at the Congenital Heart Walk! ❤️

I loved getting to hand out goodie bags, promote my CSI, Jumpstart Your Heart, and meet so many incredible people while spending time with the sweetest kids!

Being part of an event that brings together so many families and heart warriors was truly special. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to give back to my community, spread awareness about congenital heart defects, and support such a meaningful cause!
•
•
•
#congenitalheartdisease #jumpstartyourheart #jjsjourneytomissokteen #hearthealth #csi

3

2

❤️ HEART BY HEART WEDNESDAYS | EPISODE 1 ❤️ Thank you to @systemsofhope sponsor with @mrsunitedamerica and @thechf educational partner.

Know the defect. Know the story. Know the heart.

Today marks the official launch of Heart by Heart Wednesdays, a weekly series dedicated to congenital heart defect (CHD) education, awareness, research, and the incredible heart warriors and families behind every diagnosis! ❤️

👑 As Mrs. United America 2026 and a proud heart warrior mom, this series is deeply personal to me.

For our very first episode, we’re highlighting Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV), one of the complex congenital heart defects my son Sebastian was born with.

When our family first entered the world of CHD, we quickly learned that behind every medical term, every procedure, and every diagnosis is a real person with a story worth telling.

🫀 What is DORV?

Double Outlet Right Ventricle is a congenital heart defect in which both major arteries, the aorta and pulmonary artery, arise predominantly from the right ventricle. Every DORV heart is different, and treatment depends on each person’s unique anatomy.

Through this episode, we’re breaking down the diagnosis, exploring treatment and care, and bringing greater awareness to the CHD community.

I’m honored to collaborate with The Children’s Heart Foundation on the educational and CHD knowledge-based portion of this series as we work toward greater understanding and brighter futures for heart warriors.

💗 And this is only the beginning! In the weeks ahead, we’ll continue exploring different CHDs while sharing the voices, journeys, and experiences of heart warriors and their families.

✨ Help us spread awareness!
❤️ Like this Reel
💬 Share your connection to CHD in the comments
📲 Save and share to help educate others
🫶 Follow along every Wednesday for a new episode!

Because every heart deserves to be understood, and every heart warrior deserves to be seen.

❤️ Know the defect. Know the story. Know the heart.

👑 Mrs. United America 2026

#HeartByHeartWednesdays #Episode1 #DORV #DoubleOutletRightVentricle #CHDAwareness

31

3