Our families honored at the 2025 6H En Cœur
Montreal
Our little heart-to-heart story with the En Cœur Foundation began over 10 years ago, when Zackary was born, with a little heart that wasn't well enough to start a life. The first days were a rollercoaster ride, operated on for more than 7 malformations at 7 days old... on May 1, 2014 he entered the OR for 18hrs of surgery, the longest day of our lives ! Followed by ups and downs, life was hanging on and so was my little hero ! After two equally urgent operations, they were able to restore his Picasso heart, but only for a palliative repair. Feeling alone in the world, the En Cœur Foundation quickly came to put a warm glow on our hearts, allowing us, among other things, to stay at the Ronald McDonald house and receive our siblings... being surrounded by our loved ones is so important! Powerless, navigating a world of small battles, victories,and successes, but above all, surrounded by unconditional love!
At the age of 11, Zackary has been operated on more than 6 different occasions, and will need to be operated on again... the En Cœur Foundation quickly understood how to support families, and for this we will always be grateful! The world of heart disease is made up of different stories, but all have the same needs; to help us in supporting our child. Each heart, each story, each family, as unique as they are, enable families like mine to survive the many operations, hospitalizations and follow-ups that are so important! Today, our family is taking part in our 5th race, and it's an honour to be there again with Zackary! Thank you for your donations, your presence and, above all, for accompanying us in the most difficult journey of our lives! There are superheroes like mine and yours who can never thank you enough! The superpowers of healing... are made possible by your donations to help families accompany their superheroes!
Put on your cape... and fly to meet us by giving and getting involved!
We're the family in the spotlight...
Catherine Martin
Quebec
Éléonore is our most beautiful storm. After her first emergency hospitalization at 7 months and 3 years of cardiology-neurology-pneumology-gastroenterology-nutrition tests, genetic research and various hospitalizations, Éléonore was finally diagnosed with “sinus disease”. A heart that beats too slowly, irregularly and stops too many times for us to sleep soundly. 585 times in 24 hours, to be precise. So it was as a matter of urgency, on the eve of her tiny 4th birthday, that her doctor gave the go-ahead for her first pacemaker. The first in a long line. A condition she'll have to live with for the rest of her life, and one we'll have to turn into strength and pride.
But we're confident, because if there's one thing Eléonore has taught us over the last few years, it's resilience. Her character and her smile are the bright spots we need in the stormier corners of our lives. Éléonore is our most beautiful storm, the one we'll weather hand in hand, never letting go.
Our special thanks
None of this would be possible without the hospital staff, the dedicated doctors, the caring surgeons and the conscientious nurses.
Thank you to the Foundation for making us feel less alone. Their support is the hand on our back that we sometimes don't know we need, and that does so much good.
“Thanks to Julianne for all the blue possicles”. That's the phrase Eléonore wanted to include in this humble article.
Frédérique Hamel
Remote
The arrival of a child is usually a source of immense joy. But for us, Zoé's arrival came with a great deal of worry and stress.
At 23 weeks of pregnancy, we were told: “Your daughter has a congenital heart condition, Tetralogy of Fallot. She will have to undergo at least 2 open-heart surgeries during her first year”.
Among the e-mails I received was one inviting me to visit the En Cœur Foundation website. I discovered that I wasn't alone, that there was a huge amount of support available. Testimonials, private groups, discussion Zooms within reach.
Zoé had her first open-heart surgery at 6 weeks and a kt at 8 weeks. The post-op period was full of fear and anxiety. With some fairly serious complications, we were hospitalized for around twenty days in intensive care. The En Coeur Foundation helped us financially with accommodation, grocery cards and reimbursements for my milk pump rental.
Zoé will have to undergo another open-heart surgery this year and will be monitored for the rest of her life. The Foundation will always be with us, supporting us!
With the 6 heures En Cœur, our family will raise funds and do 6 hours of physical exercise to give back to the En Cœur Foundation! Enabling other families to benefit from their support.
Vicky Bellerive
