The Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) will host the sixth annual “Feel the Beat” event on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Rochester, Minn. The event is open to everyone.

“Feel the Beat” brings together families, researchers, and clinicians to learn more about and raise awareness of HLHS, a rare and complex form of congenital heart disease in which the left side of a child's heart is severely underdeveloped. The event, built around science, advocacy, families, and patients, connects those interested in HLHS and those in the HLHS community to share experiences while discovering the pioneering research advancements taking place in the treatment of the disease.

This year’s event focuses on evolution and will feature a wide variety of guest speakers including:

• Gabrielle Wanek, a 23-year-old with HLHS paving the way for others
• Michelle Waletzko, mother of a child with HLHS and active member of the congenital heart disease community
• Elizabeth Raszka, mother of a child with HLHS and active participant of the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative

Other guest speakers include James Tweddell, M.D., from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Gil Wernovsky, M.D., from Children’s National Heart Institute.

Register to attend by visiting the HLHS blog or show up on the day of the event. Please direct any questions to the HLHS team.

Tags: Congenital Heart Disease, Event, HLHS, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research, research