• Cardiovascular

    Mayo Clinic Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Program Hosts Family Event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye7Vt4v98-0

WHAT:
“Feel the Beat” brings together families, researchers and clinicians to learn more about, and raise awareness of, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare and complex form of congenital heart disease in which the left side of a child's heart is severely underdeveloped. The event, built around science, advocacy, families and patients, invites those in the HLHS community to share experiences while discovering the unique regenerative therapies being pioneered for congenital heart disease. Children and families from across the U.S. will participate in team-building challenges and interactive sessions led by physicians and researchers.

WHERE: Mayo Clinic, Gonda Building, Rochester, Minnesota

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To view the itinerary, visit the HLHS Cause to Cure blog.

WHO: Interviews are available with Timothy Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., director, Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Christopher Moir, M.D., a Mayo Clinic pediatric surgeon who led the team to successfully separate 5-month-old conjoined twins in 2006.

This year’s guests include Ethan Bortnick, a 14-year-old piano prodigy who has been playing for audiences worldwide and Joslynn Jarrett-Skelton, author of the book series “Charlie the Courageous.” At approximately 11:30 a.m., the children will be joined by the “superhero window washers,” who will make a surprise entrance to greet the children from the windows outside of the Gonda atrium and pose for pictures.

MEDIA CONTACT: RSVP to Jennifer Schutz, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, at 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu

About the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndromemedical illustration of man with HLHS
The Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome is a collaborative network of specialists bonded by the vision of delaying or preventing heart failure for individuals affected by congenital heart defects, including HLHS. The specialized team is addressing the various aspects of these defects by using research and clinical strategies ranging from basic science to diagnostic imaging to regenerative therapies.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to medical research and education, and providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic, or https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/.

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