Empowering Kentucky’s Heart Families, Together
Kerrington’s Heart is a Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the education, support, and encouragement of children with congenital heart defects (CHD) and their families.
Whether you are a heart family navigating the trenches of a hospital stay, a heart warrior proudly showing off your zipper scar, or a community member looking to make a meaningful difference—you belong here.
For over 15 years, Kerrington’s Heart has stood in the gap for Kentucky families. Thanks to our devoted volunteers and generous donors, we have been able to ease the overwhelming financial and emotional burdens of a CHD diagnosis, allowing parents to focus solely on what matters most: the health and healing of their children.
We believe that no family should have to walk the difficult, isolating path of a CHD diagnosis alone!
With your support, we can ease the overwhelming financial and emotional burdens of hospital stays, turning a family's fear into hope and proving that they have an entire community fighting alongside them!
The Reality of CHD...
1 in 100
That is how many babies are born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) in America every year. It is the #1 birth defect in the world, and there is currently no cure. Help us stand in the gap and provide vital support for Kentucky's bravest heart warriors.
How It All Started: Meet Kerrington
On January 20, 2009, Sam and Christy Johnson welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Kerrington into the world. But the joyous occasion quickly turned terrifying. Moments after birth, Kerrington was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (a series of congenital heart defects) and Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome (a rare heart defect). Shortly after, she also tested positive for DiGeorge Syndrome, a genetic disorder that caused a severe immune deficiency.
The first months of Kerrington's life were incredibly fragile. Because of her weakened immune system, she had to be isolated at home. By September 2009, she went into heart failure, and at just nine months old, she underwent her first major open-heart surgery at Kentucky Children's Hospital.
After a five-hour surgery and over a week in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Sam and Christy took their little girl home—knowing she would face a lifetime of cardiac care and multiple future surgeries.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
As they navigated those terrifying early days—managing medications, fearing every germ, and spending sleepless nights by a hospital crib—Sam and Christy realized how incredibly isolating the CHD journey can be. They also realized there was a massive lack of awareness, despite CHD being the #1 birth defect in America.
They knew other Kentucky families were sitting in those exact same hospital waiting rooms, feeling just as overwhelmed and scared as they were.
In 2010, out of a deep desire to help others, Kerrington’s Heart was officially born. What started as one family’s mission to pay it forward has grown into a statewide community of support, bringing hope, help, and healing to thousands of individuals facing this difficult journey.
As for Kerrington? She has tackled multiple open-heart surgeries and pulmonary valve replacements with incredible bravery. She continues to overcome every obstacle triumphantly, serving as a beacon of hope for newly diagnosed families across the state.
Small Hearts, Big Impact
200K+
We have provided over $200K in support to Kentucky CHD families.
750+
Over 750 participants at our largest fundraiser of the year, the Wild Hearts Fun Run.
15+
For over 15 years we’ve provided hope, help and healing to Kentucky families affected by congenital heart defects.
