Declyn Michael Carman was born September 29, 2021, with a congenital heart disease (CHD) called Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD) Complete.
AVSD complete occurs when there is a large hole in the center of the heart allowing blood to flow between all four chambers. To repair his heart and valves he required open heart surgery but sadly, this beautiful little soul did not make it to the surgery date.
Declyn’s parents, Brad and Amanda, and his siblings, Ryder and Jordyn honour his memory by advocating for pediatric heart patients in the Kingston area. To date they have raised approximately $15,000 for pediatric cardiology services at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
A notable activity they have started is an annual lemonade stand. Amanda tells me that while selling lemonade they have met “other heart warriors” and heard their stories. They find that the stories are heartwarming and have highlighted for her the fact that “Kingston needs to do better with their education on tiny little hearts.”
Their contribution to this compelling cause is not only monetary. So far Mending Hearts with Declyn has helped with a few big breakthroughs. One of those being the Pediatric Early Warning Test (PEWS test). This test takes pediatric patients right away and allows doctors to provide immediate medical treatment and transportation. Had this been in place earlier Declyn may still be with them.
Another Cardiology Lab allowing more students to be taught about CHDs such as AVSD Complete has been created. Doctors here are now trained on how to fix a leaking mitigating valve and they are continuing to work on several other medical initiatives. This is exciting news!
Another initiative Mending Hearts with Declyn has impacted is making it possible to have a Registered Nurse qualified to practice as a therapist be covered by insurance. Before now the expense of this very necessary therapy fell to the families receiving the therapy.
On May 1st we are launching a campaign to support the Carman family’s fundraising efforts. We have created an image for Mending Hearts with Declyn that reflects the early age of Declyn, his sweet personality, and the heart care for which they are advocating.
T-shirts, from toddlers’ sizes to adult, will be for sale and from every t-shirt sold, we are donating $4.00 of the proceeds to the Mending Hearts with Declyn fundraising campaign 2024.
The t-shirts will be available for pre-order on our website from Wednesday, May 1st through Wednesday, May 15th.
We have arranged for on-site pick up of the orders on Saturday, June 1st between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. outside of the All BBQ Canada store at 496 Days Rd. in Kingston. Members of Declyn’s family will be there to assist us with the pick ups.
On behalf of Custom Style Studio and Mending Hearts with Declyn, thank you for taking the time to read Declyn’s story and if possible, supporting this fundraiser.
