I just received a very memorable letter from Kenneth Fogel, Chair of Gift of Life. First, Ken’s letter thanked us for our recent $5,000 donation to Gift of Life. If you didn’t know, Gift of Life is a special, charitable organization that addresses the medical needs of children who suffer from congenital heart defects.

More importantly…

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Several months after my surgery, I started gardening. While I continue to lack a knowledgeable green thumb, I really enjoy the process of working alongside Mother Nature. Even with all my gardening mishaps, I am super lucky to have a springtime rose bloom going on right now.

So, if you are interested in participating in the age-old cliche, I encourage you to… Stop and smell the roses. (Well, maybe not smell… But, I think you know what I mean.)

This yellow rose could be my favorite of the bunch.

This purple rose is incredibly bright and smells wonderful.

I really like the simplicity and symmetry of this white rose.

This peach rose smells fannnnnnnnnnnn-tastic.

Finally, I really liked this pink rose too.

Keep on tickin’ and smellin’!

Since starting this website four years ago, my primary objective was to help future patients and caregivers understand the challenges, opportunities and realities of heart valve surgery.

Today, I am very excited to share another objective for this work – helping children with heart problems. That said, earlier today, we made a $5,000 donation to the Gift of Life charity.

So you know… In 2008, I was introduced to Gift of Life when Shanna Andrews, a teenager desperately needing aortic valve replacement, emailed me asking for help.

Although I could not afford to pay for Shanna’s surgery (or travel from Trinidad), I immediately searched the Internet looking for assistance. I was lucky to meet Jim Frame, the Chair of Gift of Life Northeast Ohio and past Rotary International District Governor.

Shanna Andrews (right) With Her Mother (Sharon)

Shortly after I introduced Jim to Shanna, Gift of Life brought Shanna from Trinidad to New York City where she underwent aortic valve replacement surgery. Two years later, Shanna is back in Trinidad attending college!

Needless to say, I was inspired by the Gift of Life’s swift action to save Shanna from the perils of heart valve disease. I was so moved by this experience, I began asking myself, “How can I help raise donations to support Gift of Life?”

One of the immediate ways to raise money for Gift of Life was developing sponsorship opportunities for surgeons, cardiac care clinics and heart valve device manufacturers at this website. So, over the past twelve months, I began discussing charitable possibilities with several people within the heart valve surgery community.

The response to this idea was very positive and I actually began raising money to support Gift of Life. It is for this reason, I am able to send Gift of Life a check for $5,000 today.

You will notice that this post is titled, “Our $5,000 Donation Gift Of Life!”. I would like to emphasize the use of the word “Our” in the title. It is because of you – your comments in the blog, your surgeon profiles uploaded at the Heart Valve Surgeon Database, your posts at Heart Valve Journals and your purchases of my book – that we could attract the attention of our sponsors.

I am beyond thankful for you. Thanks to you, we are pursuing healthy hearts in children all over the world through the Gift of Life.

I feel blessed and honored to know you… Even if we have never met.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Keep on tickin!

Thanks for your emails requesting an Ethan update!

So you know… Our little boy is now 11-months old and getting ready for his first birthday. As you might imagine, Robyn (my wife) and I continue to be amazed by just about everything Ethan does. For example, here is a video of Ethan walking on camera for the very first time.

Ethan is showing himself to be a very curious, busy, fun and happy little boy.

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From Robyn, myself and, our little one, Ethan… Happy Holidays Everybody!!!

May you have an incredibly healthy and happy holiday season!!!

Keep on tickin!