October 27, 1980  - A cool, dark autumn night in Dallas. Ten couples walked up to the imposing brick building which houses the University Affiliated Center. Signs posted the way to a small classroom in which the chairs were arranged in semi-circular rows. Everyone was friendly but slightly withdrawn-husband and wife drawing more closely together for mutual support.

Why were all these people from different backgrounds, religions, and ethnic groups meeting together? The answer is both simple and complex…

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) was the mutual bond. Each parent present had a child born with heart disease. The diversity of those present became more apparent after introductions. Each couple introduced themselves, told about their child, and made a brief statement of why they were interested in helping to organize a group for parents of children with congenital heart disease.

The atmosphere in the room was full of compassion and concerned interest for strangers. The parents’ stories of the little children touched everyone-some had undergone surgery and were considered corrected, some children were living with their heart defects, some children had died from their heart defect. This meeting was the first time some of these parents had ever publicly declared their children were less than perfect. The understanding and rapport that sprung up among this diverse group led to an involved discussion of goals and needs for Heart to Heart.

Heart to Heart, the name chosen for it’s double meaning of the physical heart and the emotional heart, became an immediately unified mutual support group. Plans were made to meet informally the following week to plan future meetings and formalize the ideas and goals discussed at this organizational meeting. It was as if once the parents found some others in similar position they couldn’t get organized fast enough.

Friendships sprung up between people, no longer strangers because of their mutual concern for and experiences with the children. When a mother said to another mother, “I understand”, it was assured she did. That feeling of knowing you could bare your feelings and your fears to another who truly would have understanding was a relief. It is the aloneness that makes it more difficult to cope with a chronically ill child. Heart to Heart was created to provide support, friendship, and increase knowledge of congenital heart disease.

It was decided that monthly meetings would best serve the needs of the majority. These meetings would be a mixture of lecture, conversational get-togethers, and children’s activities. Heart to Heart would also have a monthly newsletter, a telephone hot-line, and make hospital visitations to give support to the parents.

The next obstacle to undertake was public awareness. How to reach the families who, in many cases, were housebound was an imposing task. The Cardiology and Social Work Departments at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and a private cardiologist were especially helpful in either giving Heart to Heart space to advertise or providing a list of families to notify. They also gave much needed advice and support to Heart to Heart board members.

The first newsletter went out in November 1980 to over one hundred families. Copies were distributed at Children’s Medical Center and at other Dallas area hospitals. The list in a year’s time has grown to over two hundred families, all Dallas area Hospitals, the media, and area physicians. Each month brings new referrals from one of those sources.

Heart to Heart continues it's work, bringing awareness of CHD, its varieties and prognosis to the public through news stories and articles.  Heart to Heart  reaches out to all  families of children with heart disease. Our organization’s goal is that no one should be alone. Congenital heart disease is a family problem and sharing with other’s can and does help.