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CHD is the #1 birth defect in the United States We provide support and education for children, youth and families affected by Congenital Heart Disease. Safe & Smart Transition With medical advances, now more than 80% of children with CHD will see adulthood.

About us

Safe & smart transition is our mission

2HEARTS is a nonprofit that provides support and education for children, youth and families affected by Congenital Heart Disease.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the number one birth defect in the nation and the leading cause of infant death. With medical advances, now more than 80% of children with CHD will see adulthood. Those who survive have to receive ongoing cardiac care and often endure several heart surgeries, which is physical grueling and psychologically draining. 2HEARTS offers teens and their families emotional support, education and skills to surviving this incurable disease.

What We Do

A community that understands and supports CHD, providing more resources for teens and adults with CHD to succeed.

Workshops

Monthly educational workshops for teens with CHD.

Mental Health Support

Mental health support to teens and families.

Social Activities

Monthly teen lounges and events.

Published Materials

Develop and distribute transition materials for teens and parents to clinics, camps and families nationwide.

Parent Support Groups

Quarterly parent support groups in the Denver Metro Area.

Community

Raise community awareness about CHD & collaborate and support other CHD nonprofits

Having heart disease does not make you special, it makes you a WARRIOR!

The Road to Transition

The Road to Transition workbook is an educational tool that introduces kids with CHD to being involved in their own health care plan.

The transition is a long process and should start as soon as 11 or 12-years-old. “It’s not as simple as getting the name of a new doctor and going to see them when a patient turns 18.” according to Dr. Craig Sable of George Washington University.
Three highly respected pediatric and adult congenital cardiologists were involved in creating The Road to Transition Workbook. 2HEARTS is currently distributing this workbook to pediatric/congenital cardiology clinics nationally & internationally as a part of their mission. To date, The Road to Transition has been delivered to over 80 clinics & camps across the country and the world.
Road-to-transition

The Parent Checklist

The Parent Checklist brochure is a detailed checklist created to educate and inform every parent with a child living with congenital heart disease. The checklist is literally a list of items a parent should know or have before sending their young adult into the world (college, a semester abroad, summer camp or school tours).
Parent-Checklist

Connected at the Heart:

A story for kids living with congenital heart disease

Support children & teens living with congenital heart disease by purchasing CONNECTED AT THE HEART and Blue, the comfort bear, featured in this new book written during a 2HEARTS writer’s workshop by teens living with CHD.

Timmy was born with congenital heart disease, and he fears getting poked and prodded at the hospital. But today’s visit at the cardiology clinic is different. Timmy meets some new friends who give him comfort and advice. With Blues, his special teddy bear, by his side, Timmy realizes he is not alone in his battle.

Connected at the Heart was written during a workshop sponsored by 2HEARTS, a non-profit serving pre-teens and teens living with CHD. The teens wrote a story they wished they’d had as young children living with heart defects.

Included in the back of the book is a glossary and a section for your young heart warrior to write their own story and advice.

Buy Connected at the Heart and Blue!

Connected at the Heart & Blue

Don’t have room on your bookshelf? No problem!

Purchase a book & bear for a young child living with CHD and 2HEARTS will deliver it. You can even include a special note or inspiring message.

Your message to heart warrior
blue-and-conn

Meet Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is an outstanding group of professionals from the fields of medicine, finance, business, and public service.
Jamie Gulick

Jamie Gulick

Co-Founder
Executive Director of Operations
Heather M Anderson

Heather M Anderson

Co-Founder
Executive Director of Programming
Elizabeth Yeung, MD

Elizabeth Yeung, MD

Board Member
Director Teen Transition and Readiness
Dr. Joseph Kay

Dr. Joseph Kay

Board Member
UC Denver ACHD Program Director
Jeremy R. Nicolarsen, M.D.

Jeremy R. Nicolarsen, M.D.

Board Member
MD, FACC
Max Mitchell, MD

Max Mitchell, MD

Board Member
Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support
Molly Wallrich, BSN, RN, CPN

Molly Wallrich, BSN, RN, CPN

Board Member
RN at The Children's Hospital Colorado
Dale De Leo

Dale De Leo

Board Member
Founder and President of 2Keys Corp
Katherine Frost

Katherine Frost

Board Member
Founder of Frosted Affair
Ginny Crise

Ginny Crise

Board Member

Founding Story

My name is Jamie Gulick and I am one of the Co-Founders of 2HEARTS.

Heather and I met a couple of years ago while we were volunteering for another agency. We had an instant connection and we shared all the challenges and the joy of growing up and living with CHD. Although we have tremendously different stories, we both shared many of the challenges of being a teen with CHD. We realized how little resources there are out there for teens with CHD. Teens who are trying to find themselves and learn how to thrive, despite living with a heart defect.

We all know that being a teenager can be tough. I am sure all of us have some painful and probably embarrassing memories from our teen years. In addition to all the normal teenage insecurities and emotions, these teens have to worry about ongoing doctor appointments and tests, how to make up all their homework they missed while they were stuck in a hospital bed for a week, what to say when people ask about their scars, the fears of upcoming surgeries and the fear of their often unknown future. It is a lot to handle. Especially when you are 12.

A 12 year old should be playing outside, not stuck in a hospital bed or at home; a 12 year old should be discovering the activities they enjoy – joining sports teams, dancing, art classes – not being too tired to see their friends or participate in school activities, and a 12 year old should be worrying about their math homework, not worrying about the results from their last doctor appointment.

For children and teenagers with congenital heart disease, this is their reality. I know this both from my own personal experience and from getting to know our teens through 2HEARTS. 2HEARTS is here to make them feel supported and not alone. To teach them the skills they need as they grow up and take responsibility for themselves and their own healthcare.

Parents, doctors and surgeons have spent countless hours and resources on how to extend the quantity of these kids life. Now they need to be given the skills so they can go out and conquer the world and experience all the amazing things life has to offer.

The medical community has given them the chance to survive, now let’s show then how to live!

found_sotry

Founding Story

found_sotry

My name is Jamie Gulick and I am one of the Co-Founders of 2HEARTS.

Heather and I met a couple of years ago while we were volunteering for another agency. We had an instant connection and we shared all the challenges and the joy of growing up and living with CHD. Although we have tremendously different stories, we both shared many of the challenges of being a teen with CHD. We realized how little resources there are out there for teens with CHD. Teens who are trying to find themselves and learn how to thrive, despite living with a heart defect.

We all know that being a teenager can be tough. I am sure all of us have some painful and probably embarrassing memories from our teen years. In addition to all the normal teenage insecurities and emotions, these teens have to worry about ongoing doctor appointments and tests, how to make up all their homework they missed while they were stuck in a hospital bed for a week, what to say when people ask about their scars, the fears of upcoming surgeries and the fear of their often unknown future. It is a lot to handle. Especially when you are 12.

A 12 year old should be playing outside, not stuck in a hospital bed or at home; a 12 year old should be discovering the activities they enjoy – joining sports teams, dancing, art classes – not being too tired to see their friends or participate in school activities, and a 12 year old should be worrying about their math homework, not worrying about the results from their last doctor appointment.

For children and teenagers with congenital heart disease, this is their reality. I know this both from my own personal experience and from getting to know our teens through 2HEARTS. 2HEARTS is here to make them feel supported and not alone. To teach them the skills they need as they grow up and take responsibility for themselves and their own healthcare.

Parents, doctors and surgeons have spent countless hours and resources on how to extend the quantity of these kids life. Now they need to be given the skills so they can go out and conquer the world and experience all the amazing things life has to offer.

The medical community has given them the chance to survive, now let’s show then how to live!

found_sotry_kids