My nineteen-year-old daughter, Lauren Moynihan, had fallen quite ill and was hospitalized twice, before her doctors finally diagnosed her ailments: orthostatic hypotension of the heart (cardiogenic) and autonomic dysfunction. She might have an additional heart condition as well.

During her treatment, Lauren joined a group called PatchWorx, which serves chronically ill and disabled children. Through PatchWorx, so many people made Lauren feel special by sending her gifts and well wishes. Lauren wanted to do the same for others because she knows what a difference such care can make for a young patient’s progress. Lauren has given back to PatchWorx, by making and selling scarves to raise money for them. Due to her efforts, a number of organizations donated additional money, helping her raise well over $1,000 for the organization

Yet, Lauren wanted to do still more. She wanted to reach out and help other young heart patients the way she was helped. So, Lauren started a Web site called, Blankets with Heart. Through this Web site, Lauren sends beautiful hand-made blankets, afghans, and gifts to children who have heart-related diseases. These children and their families have become a big part of Lauren’s life, and she always makes sure that they receive a package when the children go in for surgery. She also sends out baby blankets to infants with heart problems, even to those infants whom the NICU has not yet discharged.

Lauren’s project has brightened the day for these children and their parents, and during a very stressful and scary time –– as you can see if you go to her Web site www.geocities.com/blankets_with_heart/index.html. In turn, these families have made Lauren feel very special, too, which she is!

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