Hinsdale Magazine | Giving Back
Mend a Heart
Community Rallies Behind Local Foundation MIA BURK IS INTRODUCED BY BRIAN O’MEARA AT THE 2022 HEART FEST EVENT. MIA SHARED HER JOURNEY THROUGH MULTIPLE HEART SURGERIES IN FRONT OF A ROOM FULL OF SUPPORTERS.
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BY EMMA WOLF I PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEND-A-HEART ORGANIZATION
n 2007, Brian and Bridget O’Meara decided to start the Mend a Heart Foundation after their son, Liam, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), which means that he is missing the left side of his heart. Congenital heart defects affect 1 in 100 babies in the U.S., which is about 40,000 babies per year. Thanks to the modern medical technology that exists today, Liam
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has undergone three successful heart reconstructive surgeries and his heart has been reconstructed so that it is able to function with a single ventricle instead of two. With the goal of supporting further research and medical care for other children born with congenital heart defects, Mend a Heart raises money through fundraisers to make a difference in the lives of many. Since 2007, the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization has raised
more than $1 million to support congenital heart defect research, high school cardiac screenings and medically-supervised heart camps. The foundation is strictly run by volunteers. In February, they hosted Heartfest 2022, which is a locallysponsored event in which guests were encouraged to wear red in support of heart health. This past year, they raised $170,000 and had 275 attendees. The event took place
