In conjunction with Hidden Sands Brewery, the Heart Hero Project will be hosting the first fundraising event, Hops for Hearts. All net proceeds for the Hops for Hearts even will be donated to The Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).

Founder of the Heart Hero Project Alicia McPeters of the Sicklerville, NJ area has a child that was born with HLHS. “My son Liam was born with a rare congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome in November 2017.  Liam’s big sister Reagan is his greatest fan. She knows his heart is broken, and she loves and cares for him so much. When you hear those words ‘there’s something wrong with your babies heart,’ your entire world comes crashing down on top of you. All anyone ever wants is a healthy baby, and when something so severe as the heart, the very thing that defines life in a human, is ‘broken’, there is no right or wrong way to deal with that. Watching Liam go through open heart surgery three times before his 1st birthday, suffer from major complications, internal bleeding, and undergoing anesthesia for the 1,000th time for other procedures, it ’s heartbreaking to see such a tiny body so broken and covered in scars.  Then there are the days when I see my son smile and laugh and dance and I know that he is here for a reason, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Many parents don’t get the opportunity to see even one smile, so I am thankful for whatever time I get with him, be it 3 years, 10 years, or 10 minutes.”

There is no known cause, and no cure for HLHS, and this often deadly defect effects only approximately 1 in every 10,000 babies. This is why funding for congenital heart defects is so important. More children die each year from heart defects than childhood cancer, yet the funding for cancer is 5 times more. Support our babies and help us spread awareness, and raise money for life-saving research. These babies deserve a chance at life, and these parents deserve hope.

Please Join us February 16 for Hops for Hearts as we raise awareness and funds in support of HLHS research. Good brews, great food and a whole lot of fun!

Tickets are $30 each and include two pint vouchers and food. Additional beer can be purchased at the event for $5 each. Buy your ticket here.

If you are interested in donating auction baskets, please contact theheartheroproject@gmail.com.

Can’t come? Visit our website and donate instead! www.heartheroproject.org