Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation

To heart families in Texas, the stories we’re hearing on the news and through our pipeline are heart-wrenching. If you or someone you know is in need of supplies or equipment to keep your heart warrior and family safe please reach out. We are all in this together and we are all connected by LOVE

Exciting things are happening here at the OHHF ! We are moving to a new space right down the street, but unfortunately some of our current things won’t make the move, so we are selling them to a new loving home! We have 3 desks and a large conference table. Like New Condition! Prices and dimensions below. Desk: $75 30 H x 47 1/4 L x 19 W... Table: $175 29 H x 110 1/2 L x 55 W

THANK YOU Serra Honda O'Fallon for your commitment to give back to the community! And even more for choosing the OHHF to highlight during Heart Month. During the month of Feb, Serra Honda is spreading awareness and raising money for us by: Working with KSDK News to highlight National Heart Month and the OHHF to kick off the Heart of STL Segment Every Friday the team members can pay $5 to wear jeans A portion of ALL car sales will be donated to the OHHF 10% of a...ll mobile service (a mobile mechanic will go to the home or office of a customer and service their vehicle) proceeds will be donated to OHHF If you are able and willing to host a 3rd party fundraiser for the OHHF please contact us [email protected] or visit our website www.theohhf.org

This month we are highlighting a Heart Warrior who has overcome so much, but could use your support and prayers right now. Meet Jake - 10 years old and a two time State Olympic gold medalist in wheelchair racing. Jake was born with HLHS and underwent 2 open heart surgeries in the first year of his life. His amazing mom, Melissa, then adopted Jake and has cared for him ever since. Jake began treatment for his heart condition in St. Louis and was ultimately listed for a tran...splant last year. In September 2020, Jake was blessed with a new heart and was finally able to rejoin his 5 other siblings back home in Tulsa. Unfortunately, his medical condition did not remain stable and very quickly (faster than any of his doctors have ever seen) Jake developed a very aggressive form of Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (PTLD), more specifically non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He is currently in the CICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and in critical condition. His road to recovery will be a long and difficult one, separating Jake and Melissa from their family for at least the next 6 months. But he is a fighter and has the strongest team of doctors and surgeons caring for him, and one amazing mom standing by his side day and night. Heart Warriors like Jake remind us that unfortunately, this battle never ends. PTLD is just one of the many complications that can result from a heart transplant - organ donation is not a perfect solution and remains a lifelong medical battle. So many heart warriors live more of their life in the hospital than of outside of it, missing time with their family, friends or even understanding what a normal day looks like for kids their age. CHD doesn’t discriminate, and it doesn’t fight fair. But we won’t ever back down or stop fighting against it, and we won’t ever stop taking our love for Ollie and sharing it with others. Please join us in sending all the LOVE and strength to Jake and all the Heart Warriors bravely battling against CHD.

Happy HEART day from Ollie’s big sis and little sis and all of us at the OHHF

We often speak of Heart Moms, but not as often of Heart Dads one reason is that our voice is that of a heart mom (me) but also because every family looks different and we recognize that gender and roles can vary. Today, though, we’d like to give a shout out to the Dad’s, whatever Dad means to your family. The one who holds it together when things feel impossible, who bring us back to center when things feel like they’re spiraling out of control, who find hope and optimism... in the worst case scenarios. The one we turn to for a hug at the end of a long day, who shows so much strength and love, and who would do anything to take the pain away from their warrior and the worry away from their wife, and instead carry it themselves. One of the most common experiences Heart Dads talk about is getting a worried phone call and rushing from work to the hospital because their child is sick. Racing through traffic, unsure what horrible reality they will face when they finally get to join their heart warrior. The week before Ollie died he went into cardiac arrest and Mark had to drive 20 minutes from work to the hospital while he listened to me wailing and screaming on the phone, knowing I was all alone in a hospital hallway while our 1 year old son was being resuscitated. He describes feeling powerless and frantic in those moments. In a word, Heart Dads sacrifice. They sacrifice sleep, they work tirelessly for their families, they never complain about being the second one to hug or console their child. They are their partner’s rock, and a rock-star to their children. Being a heart family isn’t a club anyone signs up for - but today we say thank you to the Heart Dad’s that make this life brighter and battle more bearable. We love you and we see you! Please tell us about your Heart Dad or who fills this role in your life