CLEVELAND — Hundreds rallied together at Wade Oval on Saturday to show their support for a special cause.
“Being able to have everyone come together, raise money for really, really important research, it’s going to help us, help these families and these children,” said Dr. Brad Marino, who is the Chair of Pediatric Cardiology at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Brad Marino says congenital heart disease is one of the most common birth defects for children born in the United States.
It impacts thousands like Jake and his wife, Jennifer Adamczyk, who are heart warriors.
“Unfortunately, our oldest daughter Savannah, she passed away a little over two and a half years ago. She was born with a heart defect,” said Jake Adamczyk.
Marino says the mortality rate has significantly decreased over the last 30 years to less than three percent.
Still, families like the Adamczyks face this unfortunate reality.
“We’re not the only ones who have gone through this, and seeing the community come out like this to rally around. It really does fill up our cup,” said Adamczyk.
Marino is hopeful the support and money raised at Saturday’s event will increase research to treat and prevent this disease.
“The money is going to help us do specific research projects and innovation projects and help us figure out what causes congenital heart disease and, more importantly, how do we treat these congenital heart defects,” said Marino.
If you would like to donate, you can click here.
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