Noah Everett Skinner was born on September 10, 2015, weighing 7lb 15oz and 20.5” long. Noah was a beautiful, brave boy and we all were so excited to welcome him into our family. At 37 weeks along in our pregnancy, Noah was diagnosed with idiopathic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We spent every day and night with Noah at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as he and his doctors diligently fought to figure out our difficult path forward. Noah was gifted a new heart and underwent heart transplant surgery at 3 weeks old, but unfortunately the new heart did not function properly. Our sweet baby boy passed away on October 3, 2015.

We have been trying to cope with this unimaginable loss and have thought of ways to honor our son and his lifelong impact. An impressionable quote which always holds true: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

September is Children's Cardiomyopathy Awareness Month and the time to raise awareness of pediatric cardiomyopathy, a chronic and potentially life-threatening heart disease. Join me and Team CCF during the month of September as I Walk for Cure to support children with cardiomyopathy and their families. Please support my walk efforts and help me meet my fundraising goal. All walk proceeds will go towards funding CCF's Family Assistance Program and family support services. Your support means a great deal as this is a cause that is meaningful to me. The Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF) is a national 501(c)(3) organization focused on accelerating the search for causes and cures for pediatric cardiomyopathy. Employer donation matches are also supported. Since 2002, CCF has grown into a global community of families, physicians, and scientists dedicated to improving diagnosis, treatments, and quality of life for children with cardiomyopathy.