The CHC Podcast

What is PHACE Syndrome? Why is it important to the congenital heart defect community?Tune in to this episode featuring Alexis Sinclair as she shares with The CHC Podcast team her experiences with her child who was born with PHACE syndrome. While the most obvious component of PHACE syndrome are red splotches on the skin called hemangiomas, the second most prevalent condition is a ca

Have you ever wondered how the strength of the human spirit can triumph over medical challenges? Our latest episode offers a profound insight into the lives of those who've navigated the complexities of congenital heart defects (CHD) from infancy to adulthood. Our heart-felt panel, including Michelle De Roe, Paula Miller, and Diane Pucci, alongside hosts Nicholle Bilodeau, and Ayrt

As a heart mom and co-host of this transformative podcast, I'm Anna Jaworski, joined by Annie Ulchak, a resilient CHD patient, and together we're thrilled to bring you an episode brimming with hope and scientific breakthroughs. We welcome the brilliant Dr. Timothy Nelson from the Mayo Clinic, and survivors like Brenton Ball and Jennifer Gutman, who open up about the revolutionary s

When the twinkling lights of the holiday season blend with the concern of congenital heart conditions, families like ours craft a celebration that's both safe and full of joy. ICo-hosts Aryton Beatty and Annie Ulchak, along with guests Chris Atherton, Leslie Castro, and John Ritchens Jr., share their heartfelt strategies for managing the festive season in the shadow of CHDs. Learn

As we journey through the complexities of life with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), our guests - Anna Marie Taylor, Nicholle Bilodeau, and Djinni Yancy - offer personal insights and shared experiences. Their powerful stories, filled with struggles and triumphs, underscore the significance of gratitude, resilience, and unwavering support from loved ones. Together, we unpack the lat

Today’s Town Hall Meeting deals with cardiac transplantation. The first heart transplant was done in South Africa in December of 1967 by Dr. Christiaan Barnard, with pediatric heart transplants following close behind. Through the years, the operation itself, donor and recipient matching procedures, and post-transplant management have evolved to what it is today. Heart transplanta

How does having a congenital heart defect complicate developing long-term, sustainable relationships? Are there specific steps we can take to develop the kind of committed relationship that is sure to last? What measures can be taken to help us become the best partners we can for our loved ones?This Town Hall Meeting deals with different aspects of being in relationships and being

Today’s Town Hall Meeting deals with Mental Health. This is a hot topic in the news right now. It seems as though, especially since the pandemic, more people are aware of what isolation, trauma, and illness can do to a person’s mental health. Those of us living with congenital heart defects are all too aware of how we can feel isolated, how our physical health has been compromi

This Town Hall Meeting deals with ‘Faith & Religion.’ This is a topic that affects everyone, but we will consider this topic through the lens of living with congenital heart conditions.How does having a critical illness affect YOUR faith and/or religion? Today we have an expert panel. Brenton Ball is a heart patient who has undergone many open-heart surgeries over the cours

What does it take to be a father in the CHD (Congenital Heart Defect) community? We sat down with three amazing dads—Chris Harris, Dylan Henricks, and Michael McKelvey—to find out. Each of these men has a unique story to tell about parenting a child with CHD. Chris is the father of a baby born with a double outlet right ventricle, while Dylan is both a father and a person born