One Cochrane family is putting their hearts out for a cause this weekend. A fundraiser event, Denim and Diamonds, is set for this weekend which will go towards the Alberta Children’s Hospital cardiology department. The event is also hoped to spread awareness about congenital heart disease in kids, something one of the organizers is all too familiar with. Joelle MacKenzie’s son, Deacon Arthur Rhynold, was born with a heart problem that was detected when he was a still in the womb. The baby’s heart was only beating 55 beats per minute – nearly three times slower than what it should be. “We were told at that time that he would either be born with severe brain damage if he made it at all,” MacKenzie said. At 30 weeks old, MacKenzie had an emergency c-section, meaning Deacon was two months early. He only weighed three pounds. “When he was born, he came out screaming and crying,” she said, meaning in some respects the baby was healthy. But after further testing, doctors discovered Deacon had complete heart block. After he was born, the family spent 46 days in the NICU. When they finally sent him home, the hope was to see how big the baby could grow before undergoing the first heart surgery he would need. Deacon lasted two weeks at home when MacKenzie said something “just wasn’t right.” They returned him to the hospital where he spent another two-and-a-half months and received his first surgery to repair a hole in his heart. The infant was also diagnosed with mid-aortic syndrome following the surgery and was put on blood pressure medication. Now, at two years old, Deacon is an average toddler, save for his regular hospital checkups and surgeries. “We still have lots of hospital ahead of us,” MacKenzie said. “As of right now, he is just doing his thing and his heart is working sufficiently enough to keep him going and keep him active.” However, Deacon will eventually need pacemaker surgery. MacKenzie and her family members will be running in the Heartbeats Foundation run in Calgary for the third time this weekend in support of families with children suffering from heart diseases. Denim and Diamonds is the first annual Ladies Night Fundraising event in support of the Heart Beat Foundation and the Alberta Children’s Hospital. MacKenzie said the goal is to raise $2,000. Attendees are asked to wear their best denim and their “blingy-est bling.” Hosted at the Cochrane Legion, the event will have dinner, drinks, prizes and a silent auction. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. We have 60 tickets available at $25 each and can be purchased via Emily at (403) 467-2735, Joelle at (587) 228-0029 or by emailing [email protected]. There will also be a wine raffle. Tickets are $10 each or $25 for 3. The goal is to sell 50 bottles of wine – they are at 23 and counting. All funds raised will be divided equally between the Heart Beat Foundation and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
