YORK – Several months ago, the York community got on board
with a worthwhile cause, donating more than $2,100 to the Heart Heroes program
that provides “super hero” capes for children undergoing treatment for
congenital heart defects.
Donors were prompted by the efforts of Dale and Tandi
Rasmussen of York, the parents of 6-year-old Dylan, who was the recipient of
one of those capes as he faces his own medical challenges and ongoing heart
surgeries.
Dylan’s fellow students in the York School system collected
change; adults provided bigger donations in a local bank account. Bracelets
were sold and local awareness was brought to the cause.
This week, that awareness was brought to the national scene,
as the Rasmussens were featured in a segment about the Heart Hero organization
on NBC Nightly News. And since its airing, requests have been pouring in from
around the nation – requests for more capes to help more kids in Dylan’s
situation.
After the local fundraising effort, the Rasmussens stayed in
touch with the co-founders of the organization, Sondra Dubas and Kitty Burton.
In early June, Dubas asked the Rasmussens if they would participate in the NBC
story.
On June 13, the NBC crew filmed Dylan’s appointment with his
surgeon, a Dr. Hammel, at Children’s Hospital in Omaha. They also interviewed
Dylan’s parents, regarding how they used the cape to ease the situation when
they had to tell their young son that he had to undergo open heart surgery.
Tandi Rasmussen says the excitement surrounding their being
in the national piece wasn’t because they were on television – but rather
because it will create national awareness about the importance of the Heart
Hero project and its unique approach to helping children and their families as
they face these difficult situations.
The local Heart Hero bravely had his scar exposed on national
television and he donned his favorite possession for the cameras. But he and
his family also got some good news.
“Dylan is still doing great,” his mother said.
“His cardiologist says she is still happy with the repair
work that was done last summer. His valve still has a mile leak, but she said
that is normal for his type of defect (Bicuspid Aortic Valve with Aortic
Regurgitation). His aorta is still enlarged, but it’s ‘not at an intervention
level right now.’
So they are continuing to monitor that. They want to see him
again in nine months for another check-up. They will just keep monitoring his
heart and will watch for changes to decide when he will have his next surgery.
His cardiologist thinks we have a good seven years before anything else needs to
be done.”
Meanwhile, Dylan will continue holding onto his Heart Hero
cape and his parents will continue to actively pursue fundraising to help other
kids get those precious capes and support for their families.
“Dale and I are already trying to work on another fundraiser
for Heart Heroes, as the cape requests are pouring in since the broadcast aired
– requests from Oklahoma, New Jersey, South Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts,
Texas, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Iowa, Maine, Wisconsin, Alabama, Nevada, Maryland,
Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina, California, Colorado, Washington,
Indiana, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Georgia and Tennessee,” Tandi said.
“They are in need of donations because they are 100 percent
funded by donations. If anyone wants to donate to them at this time, they can
go to www.heartherocapes.com and donate through the website. If anyone wants to
start a fundraiser or wants any information on fundraising for Heart Heroes,
there is a tab on the website or they can also contact me.”
Tandi has also agreed to be the organization’s new community
outreach coordinator.
“This is work that I am honored to be a part of,” Tandi
said.
“We are honored and proud to be part of this amazing
organization! Heart Heroes is about much more than just capes – they provide
support, comfort and security in times of uncertainty and darkness for so many
families. I think Dylan’s cape helped us as much as it did Dylan!”
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