My name is Kaylee.  I am 15 years old and I was born with congenital heart disease.  When I was born, I had 2 VSDs and a leak in my aortic valve.  By the time I was 3 years old, one hole sealed on its own.  At 6 years old, I had open heart surgery to fix the other VSD. When the surgeon opened me up, they found that my heart was engorged with blood and not pumping enough blood out into my body and that the hole was much bigger than they expected it to be.  I still have a teeny tiny leak, but I’m healthy and active!

Although having surgery was a scary event for my family and friends, it launched me into a wonderful community of heart survivors, heart supporters and heart angels.

I've had the pleasure of being part of several amazing opportunities which supports heart disease.  I've modeled on a red carpet for the American Heart Association (go Red!), I've live-interviewed on the radio, I've raised money for Jump Rope for Heart and I've raised money for Camp Taylor.

Speaking of … Camp Taylor is a place for kids and teens to go that have heart disease.  Over the last 6 years, I've met so many great people that have become my second family.  We share laughs, stories, tears, support and lots of love with each other.  I'm told this camp is incomparable to other camps. It really is a magical place.  http://www.kidsheartcamp.org/

Something really awesome happened to me recently.  I was invited to become a mentor for Camp Taylor.  This is extremely exciting as you have to be chosen!!!  Being part of the mentor program means bonding with families about their journey, sharing the spirit of Camp Taylor, opening up a special space for each child, rallying heart patients, creating a “normal” atmosphere, visiting patients while in the hospital, supporting siblings of CHD patients. I am so blessed to have been considered for this opportunity!  I know there will be a big commitment to being a mentor beyond the fun stuff mentioned above.  I will need to attend several hours of training, attend weekend workshops, meetings, travel.  I will likely be giving up my annual summer trip to visit my southern family, but I know they will support me through it!

I need your help though.  As a mentor, I have to raise $1700 (by Thanksgiving) and that's not much time!  I'm thinking of many ways I can do this, but this is the first place I thought I'd start at.  This money goes towards helping Camp Taylor grow and continue supporting their new and returning campers and siblings.  It helps fund really cool and unique activities that some heart patients may have never been able to do.  It helps keep the magic of Camp Taylor alive.  I’m so proud of being part of that!

Would you please join me in raising money?  I am extremely grateful for any donations made.  Every penny counts!!  Thank you!

XoXo,
Kaylee MacLean