Alexander Sheena
TULANE
Hey I’m Alex! I’m studying Finance and Neuroscience at Tulane, and when I heard about Heart4Heart I knew I had to start a chapter at Tulane. Congenital heart disease doesn’t get enough attention, and the preventative surgeries are actually relatively inexpensive. Heart4Heart does a great job of providing donors with a specific project that they can see their money going towards, which I think is an important, and yet generally lacking feature of a lot of charities. Also, since the surgeries aren’t the most expensive it’s really gratifying to be able to see the tangible impact we are having on these children’s lives. I’m very excited to spread awareness about CHD and fundraise for these surgeries.
TULANE
Sam Lipman
Hi! My name is Samuel Lipman and I am a Senior studying Neuroscience and Political Science at Tulane University. I am from New York City and enjoy snowboarding and playing soccer and basketball. I was VP of communications for the Science and Engineering school and conducted 2 years of research in neurobiology with a focus in learning and memory. I was raised with a deep understanding that there are people less fortunate than me. That is why I am committed to helping raise money and perform community service for those who need help. I joined H4H because i have always had an interest in the healthcare field and believe that I could make a difference to help a child get CHD surgery. I am excited to be one of the leaders of my Chapter and am committed to making a difference to positively impact children around the world.
Henry Adams
TULANE
Hey, my name is Henry Adams and I’m currently in my fourth year at Tulane University studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I grew up in Kansas City Missouri and have always loved art. For the most part I draw and make ceramic works, but I enjoy all art forms. I joined Heart4Heart because I wanted to give children in need a chance at all of the wonderful opportunities I had as a kid. Being able to say that I am responsible for helping to save a life means the world to me.
Liz Byrom
TULANE
Hi my name is Liz Byrom. I'm a marketing and management major at Tulane University from Evanston, Illinois. In my spare time I like to listen to music, cook, hang out with friends, and watch the Chicago Blackhawks. I joined Heart 4 Heart because I knew it would be a rewarding experience. The opportunity to put a smile on a child's face was one I could not turn down. I'm honored to be able to raise awareness and plan events and that will have a profound impact on the lives of these children.
Alyssa Tsang
TULANE
Hello! My name is Alyssa and I am currently a junior, studying finance and marketing at Tulane University. I grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, but I love the vibrant nature of New Orleans. Aside from studying, I spend my time dancing, writing, and riding my bike. Having a background in tutoring grade-school students, and coaching track & field at a boys’ and girls’ club, I enjoy working with children and making them smile. As cliché as it sounds, by joining Heart 4 Heart, I can both support a truly inspiring cause and have the power to make a difference in people's lives.
Daniel Stagliano
TULANE
Hey everybody! My name is Danny Stagliano and I am a sophomore marketing and digital media production major at Tulane University. I’ve always loved sports, but my favorites have always been soccer, football, and boxing. I was the president of my high school’s Red Cross Club in my hometown of Ithaca, New York, so I have always felt a connection to helping people in need. I joined H4H club because CHD surgery is so inexpensive, yet so impactful on a child’s life. I am ready to help H4H be proactive in 2016-17 and make an impact on the lives of young children.
Tomas Salter-Cid
TULANE
Hey! I’m Tomas Salter-Cid and I am a junior at Tulane studying Neuroscience and Public Health. I’m from West Windsor, New Jersey, but also spent a lot of my life in San Diego. I love playing lacrosse and pick-up sports, and exploring the wonderful range of cuisine in New Orleans. I also love to fish and surfing with friends. I joined Heart 4 Heart because I was a part of Kids for Kids back home and I truly loved my experience working with children, and wanted to continue it in some way.
Avery Kravitz
TULANE
Hey, I’m Avery! I am a sophomore studying Environmental Biology at Tulane University. I grew up in White River Junction, Vermont where I loved to ski, play saxophone, and play soccer. A big part of the reason why I joined Heart4Heart was the knowledge that we as an organization could provide genuine help for children who truly need it. The surgeries that we provide to children with CHD have a huge impact on their lives and that is something I think is really special.
Adam Mansfield
TULANE
Hi, my name is Adam and I am a pre-med student studying psychology at Tulane University. I was born and raised in New York City and have always enjoyed playing recreational sports, such as intramural basketball and football with my friends, and working in labs around campus. Heart 4 Heart called out to me as an organization that I truly wanted to be part of. To be part of an organization that shows countless positive results for children in need is an honor. Our team at Tulane is dedicated to provide the best attention and work ethic to get the ball rolling on treating and providing awareness for congenital heart defects.
Matt McKeever
TULANE
Hey! My name is Matt McKeever and I am a Senior at Tulane University studying Finance. I was born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut and have always had a love for tennis, snowboarding and chorus. As soon as I heard about Heart 4 Heart, I knew I had to get involved. I love how we get to know the kids we are raising money for and are able to make such a profound impact on their lives. There’s no better feeling than knowing that you’ve helped to change a child’s life, and give them a new sense of hope.
Brian Birt
TULANE
My name is Brian Birt, I am currently a junior at Tulane studying finance and management. I came to New Orleans from my hometown of Davis, California. Some of my hobbies include playing sports, writing poetry, collecting stamps, and public service! I have always had a love for public service, and actually received the one of the public service scholarships to attend Tulane. I am extremely excited about Heart4Heart and its potential to do great things for the communities we work in.
Bri Cohen
TULANE
Hi, I'm Briana! I am a senior studying Finance and Entrepreneurial Management at Tulane University. When I was growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, my favorite activities were biking, skiing, and playing tennis with my family and friends. I have always been passionate about helping others embrace happy and healthy lives. I joined Heart4Heart to help kids with CHD get the financial support for life-saving surgeries and allow these kids to discover activities that they love. I am excited to see this organization grow and have a positive impact on those that it serves.
Sophie Levy
TULANE
My name’s Sophie and I’m a sophomore in Tulane’s business school with a plan to double major in Marketing and Management. I grew up and went to school in Norfolk, Virginia, where I enjoyed being active in my community and helping others. When I heard about Heart4Heart, I knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of. This club is able to provide such an amazing gift to children with CHD, and I cannot wait to make it as impactful as possible.
Hudson Diaz
TULANE
Hello everybody! My name’s Hudson and I’m a junior at Tulane University majoring in English from Redding, Connecticut. My hobbies include spending times outdoors, reading, and playing basketball. I have always valued the importance of helping others live healthy and full lives. Heart4Heart offers the tremendous opportunity to effectively provide much needed assistance to children in need. It is fantastic to be able to part of an organization in which you can truly see the impact you are making. Heart4Heart is an easy way to make this world a better place and I am excited help spread this organization’s message.
Adam Levy
TULANE
Hi! I’m Adam, a senior here at Tulane studying Biomedical Engineering. I’m from Los Angeles, California where i grew up playing tennis, reading, swimming and generally trying to get the most out of my day. Heart4Heart gives kids the chance to do the same. I hope to use my degree to help people by working on prosthetics, so when I heard of Heart4Heart and how easy it could be for me to trade some of my time for the chance to help save a child’s life, I had to do my part.
Number of Surgeries Funded:
65
In Partnership With
Ciaz |
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Shaziah crop |
Febie |
Sam |
Recently Completed Projects:
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a structural and functional defect of the heart that is present at birth. In Canada and most developed nations, children born with congenital heart disease are treated immediately without delay. Yet for children born in developing countries, a congenital heart disease is often considered a death sentence.
Early Development of the Human Heart
The human heart begins to develop as a tubular structure at about the fourth week of pregnancy, and continues to grow until 8 weeks. During this period, the tube begins to folds in on itself to form a loop, and structures develop within to divide the heart into different chambers. Molecular signals guide this process, and it is during this sensitive period of growth where heart defect have the potential to occur.
Causes of CHD
Interplay between genetic and environmental factors may cause CHD by disrupting specific signals that help the fetal heart develop. Oftentimes, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact, specific cause of a particular defect, but the generalities are understood. Medications and drugs, environmental toxins, maternal illnesses, and chromosome abnormalities are all known to increase the risk of CHD.
What defects can occur?
Holes in the heart, obstructed blood flow, abnormal blood vessels, heart valve abnormalities, or a combination of all of these may occur in children suffering from CHD. Some defects may be relatively benign and do not require surgery, while many others necessitate the need for surgical intervention immediately.
In Canada and most developed nations, children born with congenital heart disease are treated without delay. Yet for children born in developing countries, a congenital heart disease is often considered a death sentence.
About CHD
The Stark Reality
Congenital heart disease is the #1 birth defect worldwide.
5.5 million children are born each year with congenital heart disease.
94% of these children lack access to adequate medical care.