Author Archives: Keri Brunelle

Never stop fighting: A Herma Heart Center Hero

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Callan

Callan is the 2012 Herma Heart Center Hero.

At 1-month-old, Callan was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia, a congenital heart condition that makes it difficult for blood to flow to the lungs. His doctors in Madison gave him a dismal prognosis, but his parents refused to give up hope. They reached out to the Herma Heart Center team at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee as a last resort for treatment options that might save Callan’s life.

Within a few hours, Callan was rushed to the Herma Heart Center, where physicians recommended a series of three open-heart surgeries. The surgeries took place over several months, and Callan had his ups and …Continue reading →

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Wisconsin Champion

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Vincent Forseth, 12, received a heart transplant at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin a week before his seventh birthday. He was selected for his courage to represent Wisconsin for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champions program in 2011. Vincent was the first child in the Midwest to receive a Berlin Heart, a ventricular assist device, to keep him going until a donor heart could be found. Champions like Vincent have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses. A special ceremony was held for Vincent Wednesday at a Walmart store in Madison, where he was surprised with a $500 shopping card, a performance from the University of Wisconsin marching band …Continue reading →