Congenital heart defects, structural abnormalities of the heart, are the number one birth defect in the United States and there are currently more than two million Americans living with CHD. In the late 1950’s, only a precious few infants survived “blue baby syndrome” with a hole in her heart. Eric Ankerud’s wife, Lori, was among the fortunate children, becoming one of the first CHD patients to receive open heart surgery that allowed her to survive and continue to live a long, vibrant life.
In Heartfelt Dreams, Eric tells their story of faith and providence that placed Lori’s family near one of the only hospitals in America and eventually led Lori to the best doctor in the world for care and treatment as an adult. The book chronicles the fortuity of their experience and current efforts to see that every congenital heart defect patient has access to specialized resources necessary to enjoy life as Lori has through the Heartfelt Dreams Foundation.
“Lori is my hero and I hope that by sharing how she faced adversity without complaint in a quest to survive, others will find inspiration in her story,” said Eric. “Our journey together has taught me that hard work, mental toughness and faith-filled resiliency can help us overcome life’s greatest obstacles. It is my hope that readers will have a deeper appreciation for the emotional and physical struggles of those who suffer from life-long medical conditions and draw inspiration for facing any challenges in their own lives.”
Heartfelt Dreams: A Story of Perseverance, Providence, Faith and Love is available in hardcover and paperback at Amazon.com. All proceeds from the sale of Heartfelt Dreams go directly to benefit the mission of Heartfelt Dreams Foundation.
