Helping Hands Healing Hearts Co-Founders

Our names are Melinda Lopez Tavares and Kelli Carlson. In December 2005 we both gave birth to our precious little boys. Prior to that, we did not know each other. What brought us together, and what has become the foundation of a deep friendship, is the fact that both our sons were born with congenital heart defects.

Neither of us was aware of their conditions during our pregnancies. We had no way to even attempt to prepare ourselves or our families for what lay ahead. Even now, several years into our journey as heart families, we continue to be filled with questions, fears, and hope. We were lucky enough to have found each other during our sons' first five weeks in the hospital. Without the support of another heart family, this journey would feel even more isolating.

In order to make sure that no heart family travels this road alone, we have decided to establish a support group for families/caregivers of children with congenital heart defects. Helping Hands Healing Hearts is a Rhode Island based group that will have regular meetings to offer support for families, as well as exposure to other children with congenital heart defects and their siblings.

Thank you in advance for helping us to reach out to families touched by congenital heart defects. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the email addresses listed below.

Sincerely,

Kelli Carlson
coordinator@riheartgroup.com