Healing of the Heart 2017

Once again words escape me as I try so hard to find a way to describe the intensity of the impact this retreat has on the women who have the opportunity to attend. It seems each year is better than the last and the connections that grow in just four short days together is unconceivable.

This year we coined the mantra 'Intent. Inspire. Ignite. Finding Purpose Amidst Tragedy.'

The idea behind this was to have our mamas grow throughout the weekend as their hearts began to heal and their bonds began to form. Words do not do justice to the feeling in our hearts as we literally witness through our very own eyes the forever lasting impact and life changing experience these mamas have.

The roller coaster of emotions we all go through together is INTENSE -  because we all experience every. single. emotion. possible.

We cry. Oh do we cry. Raw, real, and passionate tears for our babies- no matter how old they were when they died - or how long ago they died- we cry our faces off. The pain is real. But we believe to experience healing, these moments are essential.

We smile. We laugh. We dance. We cry again. It is all the feels. All weekend long. We share our deepest saddest moments and our most joyous ones too. We share the ways we are putting one foot infront of the other since our tragedy. We share our tragedies. We tell our love story - the one that was cut off way too short- the one we ache to have back but can never be. We say their names over and over and over again. We talk about them. All weekend long. We relate to each other in ways no one else can. We bring them back to life for four days. And we feel them all around us and with us through it all.

This space and this time together quickly becomes sacred to these women and every single mama leaves a different person. Most get a piece of their old selves back and gift that to their families when they return home. All of them leave with a feeling of sisterhood where they are loved no matter what and are accepted with outstretched arms.

It truly is such a gift and honor to have these women trust in us year after year with the most intimate and sacred parts of their lives. As draining and emotional as this experience is for me, I am already looking forward to next year and the lives that will be impacted by this truly unique experience.

THANK YOU to all of the organizations and families who sponsored a mama this year and to all of the small businesses (some pictured below) who help us spoil these mamas with so much love! 

Hayden's Heart Monthly Beat- JULY

Hayden’s Heart Monthly Beat

JULY

Heart Strong- HUGE Success!

Our Heart Strong NJ Golf Outing with the Madison Strong and the Cohen family was a huge hit!

It was one for the books for sure- the amount of golfers, sponsors, supporters, the beautiful weather, raffle items, door prizes, volunteers- all around a truly incredible day and we are so thankful to ALL who helped make it happen!

Thanks to all of you, we are able to support the Oldenburger family and their heart warrior son, Shea- as well as fulfill other initiatives we do in Hayden's name!

Thank you to our sponsors!!

Pennsylvania

The PA Golf Outing is almost here!! Just a few weeks away! There is still time to register to golf until the week before the outing, and the deadline for sponsorships is Friday July 7th!

Join us on Friday, July 28th at the White Deer Golf Course to honor heart warrior Jude Solderich from Allentown, PA!

If you would like information on how to sponsor this event, or register as a golfer, please visit our website or email Rebecca.perrotto@haydensheart.org 

Something BIG is happening with Hayden’s House-stay tuned!!!!!

Blood Drive

Our Annual August blood drive at Arlington Elks Lodge 1992 in North Arlington NJ is taking place on Wednesday, August 2nd, from 3:00PM - 8:00PM. Our drive is one of the most successful of the summer and this year we have a goal of 60 registrants! Please help us reach our goal!!

This is such an important event for us to give back to the blood bank in honor and memory of Hayden and all the blood he was given while he was here. Hayden received two blood transfusions and was placed on ECMO (a machine that provides both cardiac and respiratory support to persons whose heart and lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange to sustain life) before he died. While on ECMO for two days, he received enough blood equivalent to 20 + transfusions. We could never repay those who donated to give us those last two days with Hayden – so this is our way to give back. YOU are our way to give back in honor and memory of Hayden. Please join us for a very special and emotional day of saving lives! 

To make an appointment (preferred), please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 

OR visit redcrossblood.org and enter Haydens Heart.

Our second family is from Delaware and lost their son in December of 2016 at just 2.5 months old. This sweet couple chose to travel to Boston and tour the city for the weekend, complete with a Red Sox game! We are so thankful to be able to provide this time to this grieving family. 

‘These past 6 months have been so hard and we are so thankful to Hayden's Heart for making this trip possible for us. Not a second was Vincent not on our mind and this weekend brought smiles, tears, and everything in between, but it was refreshing to tour somewhere new and enjoy our time together.’ 

- Chelsea- angel mama to Vincent. 

Contact us:

CEO- Ady Dorsett
Ady.dorsett@haydensheart.org
www.haydensheart.org
www.haydenshouse.org
118 Bathurst Ave | North Arlington | New Jersey | 07031