Despite enduring four heart surgeries since birth and several other procedures, eleven-year-old Noah Bella has never let her congenital heart disease define who she is. Born with Heterotaxy Syndrome and a very complex heart condition; dextrocardia with a single ventricle, DORV, TAPVR, PV hypoplasia, PA hypoplasia and mitral atresia, you wouldn't know she was built this way from the way she acts, sings, and laughs. Noah has loads of personality: charisma, magnetism, strength, character, an ever-present mindset to do the right thing, a carpe diem outlook on life. This has given her the desire and commitment to help others. It was during her last open heart surgery at the age of five that she was able to comprehend how meaningful it was to receive a thoughtful care package from the Hopeful Hearts Foundation. She immediately took comfort in this gift and wanted to see other children like herself feel as special as she did.

Since her last open heart surgery in 2009, she has created Noah's Festival of Life, a carnival-themed fundraiser to benefit the Hopeful Hearts Foundation in an effort to help heart families across the country with financial assistance. She has raised nearly $60,000 to date in a grassroots effort to help pay for such expenses as travel, lodging, food, hospital parking, as well as care packages for families during their child's hospitalization to aid in comfort and healing.

Noah's mission has proven successful. The money she raises for Hopeful Hearts allows these families to focus all their energy on their child. She continues to be an inspiration and an example to many on how to lift the spirit and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

She is incredibly grateful for all the support she has received to help carry out her mission. Noah plans on extending her lifelong journey by advocating for pediatric congenital heart research in hopes to help other kids with CHD.

Tristan was diagnosed at 3 days old with tetralogy of fallot, a heart defect that was not picked up on any of his mother's prenatal ultrasounds. Tristan had his first open heart surgery at 4 months old. His pulmonary valve began leaking severely and he had a second open heart surgery to replace his pulmonary valve at 2 1/2.

Tristan's body has not reacted well to the new valve, as he now has pulmonary stenosis and severe leakage. He will soon be having a cardiac catheterization to widen his pulmonary valve and eventually will have another procedure to replace his valve once again.

The Lozano's will never forget the day they received confirmation that their little boy would be born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) or half a heart.

Due to the high risk pregnancy and any possible complications, they were relocated to Los Angeles 3 weeks prior to delivery. They were in a new town miles away from friends and family and about to hand over their precious son Camilo to his surgeon for his 1st open heart surgery at just 5 days old. Emotions ran high, feeling lost, scared and alone. After a long day at the hospital they returned to the Ronald McDonald house where they received a package from Hopeful Hearts Foundation. A package full of love and understanding. It was reassuring to know that they had a Foundation that was standing behind them with lots of love and support. In the months that followed Camilo went on to have two additional open heart surgeries with Hopeful Hearts Foundation at their side.

Camilo is currently doing well and working on reaching all his milestones. He currently awaits 1 more open heart surgery.

Four year old Moriah was born with a very challenged heart: Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia, MAPCAs and Charge Syndrome. After enduring multiple procedures by the age of two, Moriah's parents were told that there was nothing more that could be done to help her.

Not willing to accept that grim prognosis, the family found a surgeon who would perform the surgery; but he was in northern California, meaning they had to leave their jobs and home in southern California -- which they did. Moriah was in the hospital for more than a year as she endured countless procedures and many open heart surgeries. Needless to say, the emotional and financial impact on the family was profound. Hopeful Hearts was able to help the Nelsons by providing funds for lodging, utilities, groceries and care packages, as well as helping the family transition into a long-term rental.

Moriah is at home with her parents now, growing stronger eachday and bringing enormous joy to her parents and inspiration to all those who meet her.

Surgeons told the Carvers that their baby daughter would not live beyond her second birthday. Born with a complex congenital heart defect, baby Callie's chances were minimal at best. She also has Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome with IVS and Pulmonary Atresia with MAPCA's. The only surgeon they could find to perform the intricate surgery that Callie needed to survive was in California, more than 3,000 miles away from them. Determined, the Carvers made the trip, and the surgery was a success.

But ten trips from the East Coast (where they live) to the West Coast (where their surgeon is) created extreme financial hardship and emotional stress for their family. That's where Hopeful Hearts stepped in -- paying for their lodging, air fare, rental cars, groceries and more. Callie is now 7 years old and has had 9 heart surgeries to date, thriving and doing wonderful.