Jessie’s Heart
Healing Little Hearts
Our beautiful daughter, Jessica Renee, died during open heart surgery before her second birthday. To honor her and help others, we have established this foundation to support children and their families who are dealing with heart defects.
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) affect 1 out of 100 newborns which is over 40,000 births per year in the United States. In addition to the astronomical medical expenses, families face the unexpected costs for airfare, gas, food, and lodging that come with all their lifestyle changes and emotional/physical stress. Jessie’s Heart supports these children and their families financially through these times of uncertainty.
Mission
Jessie’s Heart’s mission is to provide support for children with heart defects that reduces emotional, physical and financial stress for the family.
About Congenital Heart Defects
The heart ailment is a defect or abnormality. A defect results when the heart or blood vessels near the heart don’t develop normally before birth. There are different types of congenital heart defects, treatments and tests that will be reviewed by your healthcare team.
Access the articles below for more information:
- Healthy Heart Function
- Common Types of Heart Defects
- Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS)
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
- Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)
- Complete Atrioventricular Canal defect (CAVC)
- d-Transposition of the Great Arteries
- Ebstein’s Anomaly
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- I-Transposition of the Great Arteries
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
- Pulmonary Atresia
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Single Ventricle Defects
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC)
- Tricuspid Atresia
- Truncus Arteriosus
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Defectos Cardiacos Congénitos de los Niños
To read more about heart disease please visit the American Heart Association
We Care
Jessie’s Heart’s use the symbol of the heart and dragonfly.
The heart symbolizes the love, charity, joy and compassion of children with heart defects.
The dragonfly symbolizes adaptability and transformation. Through continuous change comes self-realization and a search for the deeper meaning of life. Children with heart defects are mentally and emotionally mature. They bravely face multiple procedures and surgeries over their lifetime with confidence, ease and grace.
JC Heinen
Founder and Executive Director of Jessie’s Heart
As Jessie’s mom, JC is passionate about bringing hope to the families of children with heart disease through financial assistance and gifts of the heart. Her husband, five grown children and seven grandchildren are all involved in supporting this amazing mission.
About Us
Our Board of Directors help serve the financial needs and desires of families whose children have heart defects.
Board of Directors
Brandon Collier
Niki Collier
Julie Copenhaver
Pat Foley
Kathy Lawless
Joe Schroeter
Key Contributors
Buell Foundation
Guber Family Giving Fund
Donate To Jessie’s Heart
Jessie’s Heart is a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS.
