New Smeart Heart Foundation to give its first scholarship

When her son was making plans to go to college, Suzanne Eidson of Van Buren Township noticed the lack of scholarships for young people with congenital heart defects, like him.
Medical science advances now give many of these children the potential for a full life. Teens and young adults are surviving and have a story to tell.
So, with the help of others she set up a new Michigan non-profit foundation to encourage them to celebrate their stories and reward their accomplishments through financial help for higher education.
Smeart Heart Foundation was awarded its 501c3 classification in August 2014. Through generous support from families and friends, the foundation is awarding its first scholarship for the 2015-16 academic year to Jonathan LeBlanc of Dexter.
Its first “Hearts & Games” night to benefit the foundation will be held at Dave & Buster’s, I-275 at Seven Mile Road on Victor Parkway, Livonia (734-452-4600) from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8. Cost is $25 per person. Register for the event on the Facebook Page: Smeart Heart Foundation.
The event is open to all Michigan patients and families touched by congenital heart defects (CHD). The event will be for youngsters and teens to meet others in an enjoyable atmosphere.
Eidson, the president of Smeart (pronounced Smart) Heart, said the new board members have been busy meeting and talking to many families touched by CHD.
“We were honored to be a part of Mott Hospital’s Alumni Picnic in June 2014 where parents and patients could talk with others who have experienced the impact of CHD,” Eidson said.
“Young CHD kids were thrilled to see and talk with older teens about their experience. Parents found hope and comfort talking with parents of young CHD adults.”
“The heart defects are a part of who I am, and who I can be,” said her son Dan Eidson, now a 20-year-old sophomore at Indiana Tech.
Kassandra Kierpaul, a 28-year-old chef and owner of Kassandra’s Creations in Westland, said, “I feel very blessed with my family and career as a chef, even with yearly check-ups and surgery every seven years for my pacemaker.”
Kierpaul is vice president of the foundation board.
For more information call Eidson at (734) 812-4932 or email: [email protected] .