because things can change in an instant

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This post was written by me through an activation with HireInfluence on behalf of BIOLIFE4D. Although I received compensation for participating in the campaign, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

I grew up in a big family. I am the oldest of five.

My grandmother had ten children, so as you can imagine I come from a pretty large family.

And here I am, just entering my forties, and we are currently raising six boys. We also have two boys who are grown.

Since I was a young girl I have always had this burning eerie feeling in the back of my mind. With a family this large, the odds are we will experience some sort of heartache.

Up to this point, we really have not dealt with a grave amount of extreme health issues. With such a large family of so many aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., we really have been so very blessed.

But you never know when things can change. And honestly I hate even thinking about it.

I look at all of our sweet, beautiful kids and I think about I lucky we are.

We are a healthy family. Our kids are all growing and thriving. We sometimes take for granted just how comfortable our life can be.

Oftentimes, we just plug along in life and don’t give much thought to all of the horrible things that others might be facing.

We get caught up in the busyness of life. The baseball games, grocery bills and birthday parties.

We just assume tomorrow will be here- and it will be seamless.

Today I was watching a video about printing hearts for people.

Yes, that is exactly what I said- printing hearts- as in the organ.

My husband was certain it was a satire video I was watching.

He sat, chin hitting the floor, inthralled in the details.

I knew that technology had reached a place of advancement, but I have no idea the extent.  We now, not only printing on paper, but also print objects out of metals and plastics.

I had absolutely no idea technology had reached a place where they can print a 3D human heart that is identical to your heart and is made from your cells.

Mind blown! I had no idea that bioprinted organs would ever be a reality in my lifetime.

This is all being made possible thanks to BIOLIFE4D and their research.

 

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer in the US, affecting more women than men?

It kills 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men.

Potentially women raising families.

Babies.

Fathers.

Grandparents.

It does not seek a specific demographic.

Over 600,000 lives are taken every year because of heart disease. Add to that, only 5,000 transplants happen in a year- and that is world wide. Very scary.

We are often bombarded with medical and health information on commercials, in doctor offices, in magazines and especially online. All of the stats start to run together and I guess this is what really kept me from realizing just how serious heart disease is because I always assumed it is not something that would be a concern for me until I am in my 70s or 80s.

Wrong.

BioLife4D shared a story with me about a boy named Jack who received a heart transplant at the age of 11.

I have 11 year old twins. Talk about hitting close to home. I can’t imagine their lives being robbed by heart disease. One twin is an avid reader and the other loves creating stop motion. They have their entire lives ahead of them!

Jack is now a healthy and thriving 16 year old teenager. We have a 16 year old as well…. who is enjoying the adventures of driving and working on cars.

I cannot imagine what this sweet boy has gone through and the heartache his family has endured.

But here is the deal. Not every heart patient can get a heart- remember only 5,000 transplants are done a year nationwide.

And this why BioLife4D and it’s research are so important. Biolife4D is having an equity crowdfunding campaign in Feb, where the general public can purchase shares in the company and join their mission to save millions of lives.

Imagine how many more lives can be saved with this technology.

February is American Heart Month.

I know you’ve seen things all over the internet, month after month, about random acts of kindness.

Maybe you’ve paid it forward in the coffee drive thru before.

Maybe you’ve left goodies on a neighbors door step unanimously.

In February I would love to see all of my friends involved in the Acts of Heart Challenge.

There are people waiting for a heart. Will they be one of the 5,000 this year? Or are they hoping for BioLife4D’s technology?

Let’s spread awareness together.

Go to the store and grab a card. Thinking of you, just because, get well…. you name it.

Or, you can make a homemade card if you prefer. Get the kids involved.

We are going to send this card to a child. My heart aches thinking about a child going through this.

Write words of encouragement inside the card.

You’re going to drop it in the mail and it will make it to the Texas Children’s Hospital.

 

Address it to:

Texas Children’s Hospital

Attention: Volunteer Services

6621 Fannin, Suite A125

Houston, Texas. 77030

One of my 11 year old twins created a comic to place inside our card.

He has read eight of the Captain Underpants books…. comics bring him joy. He wanted to pass this joy on as we do this Acts of Hearts Challenge.

Share your experience on social media and use the hashtag #BL4DActsofHeart. You can also see how others are getting involved by searching that hashtag on social media.

Will you do this with us?

Help is make broken hearts a thing of the past!

Build A Heart Save A Life – BIOLIFE4D from BIOIFE4D on Vimeo.