2024 Candlelight Gala
Saturday December 7, 2023 - 5PM-10PM
Sky Meadow Country Club - Nashua, NH
Click below for Tickets
Donations
We have ambitious goals to raise more funds and awareness for CHDs. We are greatly appreciative for any amount of money that is donated, everything counts. Please click the Donate Now button below to donate.
YOUR DONATIONS OF ANY AMOUNT ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND EVERY DOLLAR GOES TO HELPING THE CHILDREN THAT ARE AFFECTED.
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Who We Are
The Heart Warrior Foundation was created by the DiFava and Adamson families who were directly affected by Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) in their two children Genevieve and Will. After seeing firsthand the impact CHD’s have on the entire family unit, the DiFavas and Adamsons decided to create a nonprofit organization in which the goal is to support, educate, and raise funds and awareness for families affected by CHDs. In the year 2016, with the support of friends and family, they were able to raise and donate $12,000 to The Heart Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Seeing the great potential of the impact they could have on affected families led to the creation on the Heart Warrior Foundation.
YOUR DONATIONS GO TO HELP
Quality of Life
Improve the health and quality of life outcomes of CHD's through funding advancements in research.
Development
Develop a stronger support network for siblings of CHD patients and also recognize the courage they possess during a difficult time.
Support
Support the heart warrior family unit during inpatient hospital settings to make hospital stays less stressful.
Advancement
Support the advancement of continuing education for nurses and also high school students looking to matriculate in the area of medicine/nursing.
Past Fundraiser events
Boston's Run to Remember Half Marathon Challenge 2017
The Nashua Police team placed third and won $1,000 in the First Responder Half Marathon Challenge for Heart Warrior Foundation. Great job NPD!
Boston's Run to Remember Half Marathon Challenge 2018
The Nashua Police team won first place at the First Responder Half Marathon Challenge earning $5,000 for Heart Warrior Foundation. NPD placed in front of larger agencies like Mass State Police and Boston Police. Excellent job!!
Boston's Run to Remember Half Marathon Challenge 2019
The Nashua Police team won the "small agency" division at the First Responder Half Marathon Challenge earning $1,000 for Heart Warrior Foundation.
Candlelight Gala 2019
Our first annual Candlelight Gala was held on December 13, 2019. Such an incredible night raising awareness for CHDs. We were able to donate $25,000 to the BCH Heart Center.
Candlelight Gala 2021
Our second annual Candlelight Gala honored nurses from BCH's Cardiac Floor. HWF created the Peggy Fund with $100,000 going to the wellness of nurses on the Cardiac Floor.
Candlelight Gala 2022
Our third annual Gala was another successful. In 2022, we were able to donated $100,000 more to the Peggy Fund, aimed at the health and wellness of Cardiac Nurses at BCH!
Falmouth Road Race 2017
We are so proud of and thankful for the six runners who ran the Falmouth Road Race for the Heart Warrior Foundation raising approximately $9,000.
Falmouth Road Race 2018
Another Falmouth Road Race in the books!! In 2018, eight runners raised awareness and a tremendous amounts of funds for the Heart Warrior Foundation. Great job runners!
Falmouth Road Race 2019
2019 Falmouth Road Race charity runners again came through for HWF!! Such a fun and inspirational race raising funds and awareness for so many different charities.
Falmouth Road Race 2021
30 runners raising approximately $39,000!!
Falmouth Road Race 2022
41 runners raised approximately $41,000.
Falmouth Road Race 2023
Our largest group of 46 runners raised approximately $54,000!!
Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament 2017
The Nashua Police hockey team won first place at the first annual Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament held in Marlborough, MA raising $1,725 for Heart Warrior Foundation.
Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament 2018
The Nashua Police hockey team took first place again at the Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament, raising over $8000.00 to support the Heart Warrior Foundation.
Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament 2019
The Nashua Police hockey team placed second in fundraising this year, earning them some nice perks at the tournament. NPD unfortunately fell to Rhode Island State Police in the first round of the playoffs. This team raised over $17,000 in support the Heart Warrior Foundation. They even posed for a picture with former American Idol contestant Ayla Brown. Amazing job!!
Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament 2022
NPD came in 2nd place in fundraising in 2022 which allowed them to player with former Boston Bruin Andrew Raycroft. What a tremendous event!
Heart Warrior Foundation Programs
Thomas Sauvigne Memorial Scholarship
In 2018, the Heart Warrior Foundation started the annual Thomas Sauvigne Memorial Scholarship in honor of Heart Angel Thomas Sauvigne. This scholarship was designed for medical professionals at Boston Children's Hospital pursuing a higher degree in medicine. 2020 RN Liz Sacco; 2021 RN Maggie Maloney; 2022 RN Meghan Walsh and RN Michael Greenlee
Thomas Heilner Memorial Scholarship
In 2017, the Heart Warrior Foundation created the annual Thomas Heilner Memorial Scholarship in honor of Heart Angel Thomas Heilner. This scholarship was designed for students pursuing a higher degree in medicine. The scholarship is currently awarded yearly to a high school senior at Ayer Shirley Regional High School.
Peggy Fund
In 2021, HWF started a fund to directly support the health and well being of the cardiac nurses at Boston Children's Hospital. Genny loved her nurses and coined them "Peggies". Since its inception, HWF has donated $225,000 to this fund to assist with various programs aimed at assisting nurses. Click below if interested in donating directly to the fund.
Heart Center Floor Donation
Heart Warrior Foundation makes yearly donations to the Heart Center at Boston Children's Hospital. In 2019, we donated several breast feeding pumps and composite rocking chairs. In 2020, we chose to honor healthcare workers on the floor and donated $5,000 worth of Target gift cards in appreciation of their daily efforts.
Patient/Sibling Care Packages
Heart Warrior Foundation delivers patient/sibling care packages filled with inspiring books and Gund stuffed animals
In Patient Meal Program
Supporting families during the inpatient hospital setting is one of our main goals. Eating while your child is in the hospital is something that really starts to add up, especially since many CHD children require weeks to months of inpatient time. At least 80 meals are donated yearly to inpatient families on the cardiac unit!!
Monthly Cupcake Parties
Heart Warrior Foundation hosts monthly cupcake parties on the cardiac unit at Boston Children's Hospital for inpatient families and staff!
Medical ID Bracelets
A new part of our care packages this year is offering a free medical alert bracelet to our Heart Warriors. Early recognition of medical history/diagnosis is imperative to medical professionals in the event of an emergency. It can be life saving and we are so proud to help support safety of our warriors!
Heart Center Donation
Heart Warrior Foundation makes yearly donations to the Heart Center at Boston Children's Hospital. We have donated $5,000 in 2018, $25,000 in 2019, and $25,000 in 2020.
Medical Excellence Award
Heart Warrior Foundation presents the Medical Excellence Award to one medical professional each year at Boston Children's Hospital that exhibits certain attributes. 2019 - RN Stephanie Silvio!. 2020/2021 - RN Meg Walsh and RN Meg Stevens. 2022 - RN Jennie O'Brien. 2023 - RN Kylee Dwyer and RN Suzanne Moran.
Tommy Tree Program
Tommy Tree Program - The Tommy Tree Program was developed as a way to offer support to our bereaved families, as they are an integral part of our CHD community. When a family loses a child to a CHD, the Heart Warrior Foundation will donate a tree of their choosing to the family to be planted at a location of their choosing in memory of their child. A granite memorial stone will also be provided. If you or someone you know in the New England area would be interested in being a recipient, please reach out to us at heartwarriorfoundation@hotmail.com
Donate Now
YOUR DONATIONS OF ANY AMOUNT ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND EVERY DOLLAR GOES TO HELPING THE CHILDREN THAT ARE AFFECTED.
“Healing With Happiness”
2018 Recipient at Fenway Park Green Monster Experience
2019 Recipient at Great Wolf Lodge Retreat
2019 Recipient sworn in as honorary Nashua Police Officer and received Golden Retriever Puppy
The Heart Warrior Foundation is proud to introduce Heart Warrior’s “Healing With Happiness” program to our CHD community. As a foundation, we strive to think of ways to create normalcy and happiness for the heart warriors, their siblings, and families. Our Healing With Happiness program gives our CHD warriors and their families a chance to enjoy a New England based “gift” of their choosing. The Heart Warrior Foundation hopes to provide a memorable, carefree experience for our heart warriors and families who have endured some much in their lives. The Heart Warrior Foundation will award limited spots yearly to New England based families (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI), but hopes to grow and expand to accommodate as many Heart Warriors and their families as possible in years to come.
We want to include the warrior in their decision and encourage them to look through our ideas of how best we can bring them some happiness for their bravery! These are some general ideas that the Heart Warrior Foundation has come up with to get the Heart Warrior thinking. Certain restrictions/availabilities apply and can be discussed further with heart warriors and their families. Activity locations must remain within Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Hotel stays (To include, but not limited to) – Great Wolf Lodge, Coco Key, Jay’s Peak, etc. (Based on availability)
Camping Trips
Best Buy Shopping Spree
Simon Mall Shopping Spree
Tickets to the following (To include, not limited to) – Southwick Zoo, Stone Zoo, Franklin Park Zoo, Roger Williams Zoo, Canobie Lake Park, Edaville Railroad, Davis Farm Land, Museum of Science, Children’s Museum Boston, Boston Duck Tours, Boston Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Old Sturbridge Village, Water Country, Legoland, Coco Key Water Park, Museum of Fine Arts, Six Flags New England, Story Land, Santa’s Village, York Wild KIngdom, Funtown Splashtown USA or any other activity heart warrior could think of
Tickets to any regular season New England Sporting Event – (Based on Availability)
Lift tickets to New England ski mountain of choice
Parent and Heart Warrior Spa Treatment – New England Spa of choice
Tickets to any Music Event in New England – (Based on Availability)
Tickets to any Theater Event in New England – (Based on Availability)
Music/Dance/Karate, etc. Lessons x 1 year
Pets
We are open to ideas within financial reason but can not guarantee specific wish requests.
Gallery
Tommy Sauvigne Memorial Golf Tournament
The first annual Tommy Sauvigne Memorial Golf Tournament was held at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua on July 23, 2018. It was generously organized and run by the Lannan and Sauvigne families and friends, benefiting Heart Warrior Foundation. Since 2018, this tournament has raised over $100,000 for the foundation. This is such an incredible event which allows the foundation to do so much. We are so very appreciative and grateful for these wonderful families!
"Congratulations! You are the winner of our rookie of the year award for your outstanding fundraising efforts in 2016. You guys absolutely blew it out of the water this past year with your 1st annual heart warrior 5k. We are so grateful for the support and are looking forward to working with you again soon. Thanks for all you do!
Jess Brandi, Boston Childrens Hospital
Heart Warrior Foundation Donated To The Fontan Blood Pump
For people born with a single ventricle heart, options are scarce. They must either undergo a palliative series of open heart surgeries, ending with the Fontan, or receive a heart transplant. As the first Fontan patients reach adulthood, emerging data suggests that all Fontans will eventually fail. It is no longer a matter of if, but when. There are several complex and individualized factors that determine when and how failure will present, but once it does, the only option becomes a heart transplant. While heart transplants are lifesaving, they come with their own risks and another timeline for eventual failure. In 2000, while at Stanford University, Dr. Mark Rodefeld began rethinking the way Fontan patients should be treated. Guided by the belief that there must be a better approach toward stronger outcomes for single ventricle heart patients, he began his research. He sought to develop a treatment option for Fontan patients that would extend the life of the Fontan repair and put off, or eliminate, the need for a heart transplant.
