Newly Diagnosed Resources
Whether you are here because you just received a devastating prenatal diagnosis, you are packing a hospital bag for your child’s third open heart surgery, or you are a community member wanting to make a difference-welcome.
We know firsthand that a CHD diagnosis changes your world in an instant. The medical jargon is terrifying, the hospital stays are exhausting, and the financial toll can be heavy. But we also know the incredible resilience of heart warriors and the unbreakable bond of the families who fight alongside them.
At Kerrington’s Heart, we are here to hold your hand through the hardest days and celebrate with you on the brightest ones. From emergency gas cards and hospital care packages to child-free support groups for exhausted moms, we are dedicated to easing your burden so you can focus on what matters most: your child.
Take a deep breath. You have found your tribe.
Welcome to Our Heart Family
Breathe and Take it One Step at a Time
In the coming days, you will hear a lot of medical jargon, statistics, and treatment plans. It is okay if you don’t remember everything right away.
Keep a notebook with you at all appointments to write down your doctor’s exact words, medication names, and questions that pop into your head at 2:00 AM.
Download our Questions for Your Cardiologist Checklist: A printable guide of the most important questions to ask your medical team.
Browse our CHD Glossary, a plain-language guide to help you translate the medical terms you are hearing into everyday language.
How Kerrington’s Heart Can Help Right Now
The emotional and financial toll of a CHD diagnosis can be incredibly heavy. We are dedicated to lifting some of the burden so you can focus on your heart warrior.
We provide specialized care packages for Kentucky families facing in-patient hospital stays to bring a little bit of home to your room.
If you are traveling for specialized care or facing a long hopsital stay, we can help ease the burden. We offer assistance for travel/fuel, lodging (when the Ronald McDonald House is full), and meals (through hospital vouchers or Door Dash gift cards).
If your child is being treated at the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic, look out for Kerrington’s Kloset! It’s a magical toy closet where kids can pick out a reward for their bravery during long pre-op days or difficult testing.
We proudly sponsor the Beads of Courage program at the Golisano Children’s at UK, allowing your child to tell the story of their unique treatment path using colorful beads to commemorate every milestone and procedure. You can enroll in this program and receive beads from your Social Worker.
Find your Kentucky CHD Community
You do not have to do this in isolation. Connecting with other families who truly understand the midnight worries and the hospital routines can be life-changing.
Our Kentucky CHD Parent Facebook Group offers a private online community to ask questions, celebrate milestones, and support one another.
Throughout the year, we host family events like our Family Weekend Retreat at The Center for Courageous Kids, Cookies with Santa, and Heart Jam. These events give your family a chance to experience “normal” childhood experiences in a medically safe, germ conscious environment.
Mom’s Connect Meetups, offer a safe, child-free space for CHD moms to share a meal, laugh, cry and build devoted friendships with women who get it.