Why might a Heart Mom choose to volunteer with an advocacy organization? What can an advocacy organization do to help others learn about congenital heart defects? What are the future plans for Conquering CHD and how can people get involved?

Liz Schurrer is mom to eight-year-old Eli, who was prenatally diagnosed with truncus arteriosus. Her family’s life changed forever as they were thrown into the CHD world. Eli had his first open-heart surgery at one week old,  his second at age three, and may need another surgery in the future. 

Liz began volunteering on behalf of all CHD families when Eli was six months old. On Eli’s first birthday, she flew to Washington D.C. to advocate for increased research funding on behalf of her son and all those with CHD. She co-founded the Conquering CHD Ohio state chapter. Conquering CHD directly supports CHD patients and families. 

In 2019, she joined the staff of Conquering CHD. As the Donor Relations Director, she finds it rewarding to work with generous donors who help change the outcomes for CHD patients. Liz has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and lives with her husband Jim and their children Maddie and Eli.

In this episode, Liz shares with Anna how it was that she became involved with Conquering CHD and why she felt compelled to help others. She explains how the organization has grown and morphed over the years and what it is that they do on The Hill once a year. Find out how you can also become involved in Conquering CHD and what all advocates for the CHD community need to know in this episode of “Heart to Heart with Anna.”

Links mentioned in this episode:

Conquering CHD website: https://www.conqueringchd.org/
Registration form for “Not Another Lunch and Learn” — https://conqueringchd.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/conqueringchd/event.jsp?event=39&

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