Our History

---

Sadie was born on September 21, 2019 and was cyanotic, hypoxic and floppy at birth.  She was transferred emergently to Rocky Mountain Hospital For Children under the care of a critical care flight team.  Once there, she underwent numerous diagnostic tests and was found to have a significant congenital heart defect and Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome).  The cardiologist explained that Sadie had an atrial septal defect, a ventricular septal defect, a common mitral/aortic valve, a patent ductus arteriosus, a patent foramen ovale and pulmonary hypertension.  She spent a week in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and then underwent open heart surgery at 5 months old.  Sadie recovered remarkably and is a healthy, active and thriving toddler. 

Throughout our unexpected stay in the NICU and the months following Sadie’s birth leading up to her heart surgery, our family was incredibly blessed by so many people who encouraged and supported us along the way.  We realized through this experience that there is such a need for support, both financially and emotionally, during unexpected situations that arise in one’s life.  Through this life experience, the idea for SadieBug Charities was born.