Why we Step-Up

Your support helps kids like Kajsa!

When Kajsa Hawkinson was born the week before Christmas in 2002, her parents, Paul and Kristin, rejoiced in their early holiday present. A few hours after her birth, though, hospital technicians detected what they thought was a heart murmur. A subsequent echocardiogram revealed a serious heart condition. Within hours, Kajsa was transported to Children’s Memorial Hospital, where she was evaluated, stabilized, and two days later underwent the first of four reconstructive open-heart surgeries.

So began a series of challenges that Kajsa and her family have faced – challenges they have met with courage, determination and faith in the quality of care they’ve received from Children’s Memorial’s doctors, nurses and staff.

Immediately following her first operation at two days old, Kajsa’s chest was so swollen it couldn’t be closed. But on Christmas Day, doctors were finally able complete the procedure. The family truly felt the Christmas spirit when one of Kajsa’s nurses presented the family with a wreath made out of paper, decorated with Kajsa’s tiny handprints. “She also wrote a note to us from Kajsa,” says Paul. Kajsa was in the hospital’s intensive care unit for nine weeks, and was finally released in early February.

Kajsa had her most recent procedure after battling an infection over Spring Break, but has since enjoyed the healthiest days of her life.

“Our little girl might have only half of a normal heart, but she enjoys ballet, swimming and singing,” says Paul. “She has an amazing spirit and inner strength, and we are unbelievably blessed and inspired by her. We’re prepared for a lifelong process of care because of her condition, but she’s a feisty, normal, happy little girl, and we celebrate each day with our little miracle!”