Gather your friends and family to participate in a one mile event to raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defects, the number one birth defect.
Just a reminder:

Preregistration for the 2010 Heart Walk has begun.

Please click here to access the online registration form.

Directions:
Take 1-15 to the Orem Center street exit. Head east off of the exit. Stay on Center all the way through Orem, head down the hill into Provo (near the river woods shopping area) and turn south (right) onto 300 W. Follow this road around a slight curve to the park.
We will be at the west most pavilion for registration and check-in.

Just a reminder:
PreRegistration is $10 per person or $50 per immediate family.
Check in/same day registration begins at 8am and continues until 9:15am. Same Day Registration is $20 per person or $80 per immediate family. Shirts are first come first served for the same day registration. Print and bring a form with you to the walk. Individuals with a CHD are still free.

Walk for Healing Hearts Schedule
Check in – 8am to 9:15am
Walk begins – 9:30am
Group picture – 10:30am
Angel Ceremony- 10:45am
Door Prizes/Silent Auction winners – 11am
*Time subject to change*

New this Year:
Silent Auction.  It will be open from 8am to 10:45am .  Payment will need to be made either by Check or Cash, we won’t have internet available on site.  Some of the items up for bid are:
Lagoon passes
Alta Ski Passes
American Girl Doll
2 nights at Las Palmas in St. George
Fabulous creation by Copper Canyon Design
Scrap booking basket and much much more!

Please click here for a complete list of our sponsors, donations and prizes.

Membership is free to anyone that seeks support which includes those that are awaiting the birth of a baby that is known to have pre-existing CHD’s (Congenital Heart Defects) to adult CHD survivors. Unfortunately, CHD’s are the number 1 birth defect and in the U.S nearly twice as many children die each year from CHD’s than all forms of childhood cancers combined, yet, funding for pediatric cancer research is 5 times higher than for CHD’s. CHD’s are the #1 cause of birth defect related infant deaths. Of the children stricken with CHD’s, 1 in 10 have a fatal birth defect. For the IHH Membership that sadly have suffered the loss of a loved one, we also offer an Angel Support Group, as they too need to have a place to be able to grieve openly without judgment. 

Activities planned for 2010

• April 24, 2010 Heart Moms Appreciation Luncheon
• May 15, 2010 Family Summer Picnic, Bountiful, Utah
• August 13-14, 2010 Family Heart Camp at Camp Wapiti in Tooele, Utah
• September 112, 2010 Walk for Healing Hearts – Riverview Park, Provo, Utah
• October – Annual IHH Birthday Party (TBA)
• December 2010 Festival of Tree’s. 

IHH is funded 100% on donations. There are no paid positions.  Please lend your support to IHH by sending in your tax deductible donation.  Donations can be made by either mailing in a check to Intermountain Healing Hearts, P O Box 581306 Salt Lake City, Utah 84158-1306 or by clicking on our PayPal button on the IHH website, www.ihhearts.org to make the donation through the Internet.  Without your support, IHH would not be able to offer these much needed resources. 

Interested in becoming a  Platinum, Gold or Bronze Sponsor of IHH for 2010, please contact Carolyn Quigley for further information of what those different levels of Sponsorship entails.  Carolyn@intermountainhealinghearts.org or 1-800-397-1174.

IRS recognizes Intermountain Healing Hearts as an official 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

THREE-YEAR-OLD BRYSON Quinney of Lyman takes a practice swing during the Make A Wish home run derby last week. Star photos by Nicole Malicoat.

Students, community rally for local youth

By JACK H. SMITH
Staff Writer

While simple in nature, the meaning behind the sign has a far greater significance.

Surrounded by a hand written heart the sign reads “Bryson is our MVP.”

A few feet further into the school the signs begin to multiply and numerous students walking through the halls can be seen  wearing blue Make a Wish bracelets with Bryson’s name written on them.

They are all reminders of the student council’s 2010 Make A Wish event.

The child being sponsored by the council is 3-year-old Bryson Quinney of Lyman who was born with half a heart.

Thursday the final results of the students’ efforts will be made public, and they are hoping to hit their goal of $30,000.

The goal would be enough to fully fund his wish and the wishes of three other children with life threatening conditions.”

“The whole community has given to what is a great cause,” GRHS Principal Jamie Christensen said. “One of the things I am proudest of is the kids and sponsors. They do a lot of work for a couple of weeks.”

Junior Class President Taylor Mende said a lot of work went into planning the events, and they actually began working on them in November.

Just days from the results, council advisor Kris Weidner is pleased with the council’s efforts.

“The students have done a great job,” Weidner said.

Student Body President Sarah Pickle complimented local residents and said there has been a lot of community support.”

Student Council President Randi McClure has worked with the council’s Make A Wish program in the past and feels this year is different with having a local child involved.

“Bryson being involved has helped,” she said. “It’s a really touching story.”

Freshmen Class President Ryan Williams feels having Bryson on hand has really helped the community come together.

Pickle and several members of the council were able to meet Bryson a few days before Christmas.

“You get to know him,” Pickle said.

Bryson was also on hand last week for several events at the high school including a Home Run Derby.

Advisor Matt Freeze said Bryson was excited and high fiving everyone around.

For 3 hours, Bryson was non stop, Weidner said.

While too young to know exactly the meaning behind the event, Pickle said Bryson was still very excited.

At just 3 years old and with the help of council member Ashley Annable, Bryson sang the national anthem.

He was also presented with a baseball autographed by Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres.

The events also included a McWish night at the Green River McDonald’s.

According to Weidner, at one point during the 3-hour fundraiser, traffic was backed up from the restaurant to Uinta.

“It has been my most succesful fundraiser ever,” McDonalds owner Greg Bailey said. “The community got behind Make A Wish. It was impressive.”

The resturant was able to donate $773.92 of proceeds to Make A Wish. Another $900 plus was raised in donations.

With the goal of $30,000 still within reach Weidner is asking for help from the community at the conclusion of fund raising.

The goal came after Weidner talked with officials at Cody High School who were the top fundraisers in the state last year.

He said donations will be taken at the door.

Weidner added Bryson will be on hand for the games.

In the future, Weidner said the council plans on bringing Bryson back, and he will be on hand to kick off next year’s events.