A Hopeful Heart Foundation: Benefiting Breana Bladel and families dealing with Hypo-Plastic Left Heart Syndrome

PROVIDENCE VILLAGE, TEXAS: Families and friends of bright-eyed thirteen-year-old Breana Bladel of Providence Village, Texas have formed a foundation to offset overwhelming medical costs associated with battling Hypo-Plastic Left Heart Syndrome.  This new, and first of its kind, foundation for congenital heart disorders is planning many events during February to coincide with American Heart awareness month with Valentines Day, February 14, 2009 marking the official kick-off.  The mission of A Hopeful Heart is to allow families of children with congenital heart defects to concentrate on the healing and recovery aspect of hospitalization instead of the financial burdens that come with it.

Brea, a sixth grader at Navo Middle School in Aubrey, was born with a rare heart condition that left her with half of a heart when she was born.  Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), is one of the most complex and rare congenital heart conditions in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped and can’t effectively pump blood to the body, therefore the right side of the heart must pump blood both to the lungs and to the rest of the body.  Over the course of 13 years, Brea has had countless surgeries, over 14 hospitalizations, and many near death experiences including strokes and infections.  Constant medication and hospital stays due to complications of the defect can leave children and families physically, emotionally, and financially drained as the course of treatments takes place.

Her parents, David and Christena Bladel have felt this overwhelming financial distraction most recently with their daughter’s return to Cook’s Children’s Medical Center in Forth Worth two weeks ago.  Due to restrictions beyond their control, financial assistance has not been made available to them, and the bills are mounting up.  Currently, the Bladel’s have over $14000 in medical bills, have maxed out their credit cards and tapped out their savings in order to maintain Brea’s medical treatments.  Breana is currently on 14 medications, sees five specialists on a regular basis, and requires home health care.

Most recently, Breana suffered from a complication due to a previous surgery and was diagnosed with Asthma and PLE, a protein losing enteropathy in which the blood separates from its proteins and it leaks out into her tissue, mainly her face, ankles, and gut giving Brea a swollen appearance.  PLE, for which there is no known cure, also compromises her immune system making her susceptible to dangerous viruses and pathogens.

Through the use of the internet and the communities of Facebook and YouTube, Breana is gaining awareness for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and hopes to raise enough funds to assist her family and others who are suffering from this disorder.  For Valentines Day, Breana will be painting watercolor portraits of A Hopeful Heart’s new logo to be auctioned off on eBay in time for Valentine’s Day gifts.  Future fundraisers planned include a performance by one of Brea’s favorite singer, Brittnee Belt, a garage sale and a spaghetti supper.

Belt recently visited Brea in the hospital bringing her well wishes and a basket full of goodies to lighten her spirits. Belt provided entertainment to the children at the Cook’s Children’s Medical Center in Forth Worth while Brea was staying during treatment.

A Hopeful Heart is currently applying for a non-profit status.

A behind the scenes look at how the music video “Secret Identity” came to be.

Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts is hosting Art Week at The Harbor 2011. Come from 7:30 to hear from Rick Husband and Brittnee Belt, some of the newest Texas artists making their name in the music industry.

Location: The Rockwall Harbor

Address: 2074 Summer Lee Drive / Rockwall, Texas 75087

Time: Starts at 7:30 PM

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2011

 

This is my first YouTube cover that I have performed. Hope you enjoy it!

 

I got the opportunity to go down to Jamaica in June to perform on Cruise with a Cause and perform at the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School in the Saint James parish. All of the children were sweet and I loved every moment I got to spend with them.