In Memory of...

Jamie's Heart Foundation is dedicated to the memory of Jamie Noel Hannah.

Jamie Noel Hannah (December 5, 2004 -- December 31, 2006)

Jamie was born with a rare congenital heart defect called Corrected Transposition of the Great Vessels. She also had a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) that also complicated her disease. She was treated by pediatric cardiologist Dr. John McCloskey of North West Children's Heart Care in Tacoma, Washington.

Jamie's condition was originally not considered life threatening but would continue to be monitored. At the age of 6 months, she was hospitalized with congestive heart failure due to her condition. She was quickly placed on medications to control the heart and reduce the fluids in her lungs. After several options on how to treat her disease, Dr. McCloskey teamed with pediatric cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Gordon Cohen of Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

In July 2007, Jamie's name was added to the Memorial Wall at Seattle Children's Hospital.

It was decided that the best scenario for Jamie's long term health was to undergo a complex open heart surgery called the "Double Switch." Dr. Cohen consulted with another pediatric cardiovascular surgeon from England named Mr. Braun. Mr. Braun was one of the surgeon's who started the Double Switch surgery to fix a heart that had Corrected Transposition of the Great Vessels.

Jamie first underwent a Pulmonary Banding surgery under Dr. Cohen in November 2005 at Children's Hospital to prepare one ventricle for the major surgery. She responded wonderfully to the surgery and her heart was conditioned for the next several months. During this time she remained on four medications.

In October 2006, Jamie successfully underwent the complex open heart surgery called the Double Switch. Mr. Braun was permitted to come from England to assist the team at Children's Hospital to perform this surgery. Jamie was the first child to undergo this surgery at Children's Hospital. Again, she responded wonderfully and was released to go home only 8 days after the surgery.

She was continuing to be monitored by Dr. McCloskey. When our family finally felt like we were through with the stress and major treatments, we went on a long deserved vacation to Maui, Hawaii.

Unfortunately, Jamie passed away on December 31, 2006 while in Maui, Hawaii. Her left ventricle failed and there was really no explanation as to why. The surgery went perfectly, but her heart just didn't want to continue the fight.

The medical treatment for Jamies condition cost over $400,000. Fortunately, with wonderful medical insurance, our families out of pocket expenses were only $10,000. With the support of family, friends, co-workers and others, we were able to afford the best treatment for our daughter. We found out and witnessed many families suffer emotionaly and financially from the stress of treating their child. We believe that Jamies legacy is helping other families and children diagnosed with a heart disease. We honor her courage and fight.

We continue to miss her...