Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Supporters,

We are establishing this fund to help us lay the foundation for Theodore's Heart Initiative. This organization is being created in loving memory of our firstborn son, Theodore, and is driven by a profound commitment to transform outcomes for children born with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).

Our Story: The Inspiration Behind Our Mission

Theodore's Heart Initiative was founded in memory of our firstborn son, Theodore. He was born with an unidentified mass obstructing blood flow through his aortic arch. Within 24 hours, it was clear there was a serious issue, though the specific problem was not immediately identified. An echocardiogram eventually imaged the obstruction, leading to his transfer to a specialized pediatric cardiology team for surgery. However, by that time, the damage to his brain was too significant, and we lost Theodore soon after.

While we cannot help our son, our experience with Theodore motivates us to act. We aim to help develop and share advancements in AI technology with medical professionals. This will improve the chances that defects like Theodore's can be identified early enough for intervention to save a child's life before irreversible damage occurs.

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission: Our mission is to revolutionize early detection of Congenital Heart Defects by equipping healthcare providers with cutting-edge AI tools, ensuring timely intervention and improved outcomes for every child.

Our Vision: We envision a healthcare landscape where every provider is empowered with intuitive AI tools, augmenting their expertise to achieve the earliest possible detection of Congenital Heart Defects during routine wellness checks, ensuring optimal health for every child.

Why We Need Your Support Today: Seed Funding for Our Foundation

The journey to establishing Theodore's Heart Initiative as a fully operational non-profit begins with essential startup costs. These initial funds are crucial to formally establish the organization and enable us to begin our vital work.

Your generous contributions through this GoFundMe campaign will serve as personal gifts to us, the founders, specifically dedicated to covering these foundational expenses:

Legal Fees: For official non-profit incorporation, drafting bylaws, and securing initial legal counsel.

501(c)(3) Application Costs: Fees associated with applying for federal tax-exempt status with the IRS.

Board Formation: Initial administrative costs related to recruiting and onboarding our dedicated board of directors.

Operational Setup: Essential expenses like establishing the organization's dedicated bank account, basic administrative tools, and website development.

Important Disclosure: Non-Tax-Deductible Gifts

Please note: Contributions to this GoFundMe campaign are considered personal gifts to us, the founders, to fund the startup of Theodore's Heart Initiative. These contributions are NOT tax-deductible as charitable donations. We are committed to transparency and will ensure all funds are responsibly allocated to the stated purpose of building this organization.

Help Us Get Started

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to officially launching Theodore's Heart Initiative and beginning the critical work of saving children's lives. Your support now is an investment in a future where advanced AI empowers medical professionals and protects young hearts.

Thank you for believing in our vision and for your compassion. We are deeply grateful for your willingness to help us turn this personal journey into a beacon of hope for countless families.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Chris and Mika Ellerson

Founders, Theodore's Heart Initiative