Healing Wall - in memory of

Abigail Rae Wambach, “Abbey”, 10, of Charlotte, NC passed away November 22, 2009 at Levine Children’s Hospital from Long QT Syndrome. She was a 5th grader at Rivergate Elementary School in Steele Creek.... see more

A beautiful heart stopped beating. On January 17, 2002 after completing the first semester of sophomore year, our loving fifteen-year-old son, Adam, an honor student at Grayslake Community High School in Illinois, died of a heart condition called LQT Syndrome. Around 4:00 P.M., his mother, Colleen, went out with our son Andy. When she returned an hour later, she found Adam lying on his bedroom floor. She immediately called 911, started CPR, and administered our home defibrillator paddles. Every... see more

Alva was born in Houston, Texas on August 27, 1957. She was named after her father's youngest sister. Alva loved the uniqueness of her name "Alva" but later embraced "Alva Jean". Although born in Houston, Alva spent the majority of her childhood in the state of California. She loved California and the beautiful California beaches. She often remarked that if it were a paying profession she would have been a "beach bum". She attend the University of Houston Central Campus but later realized that s... see more

My son Andrew's story is one of tragedy, but also one of triumph. It started early one afternoon in July 1991 when the telephone rang. A sheriff's deputy said that Andrew, our fifteen year-old son, had been taken unconscious from a car and paramedics were driving him to a local Houston hospital. I assumed Andrew had been in a car wreck. As a minister, I have been with many families who have received similar calls. While the anxiety is always great, I knew that many times the outcome was better t... see more

Wow when I sat and thought about putting this in a story for someone else to read, I thought could I ever summarize those events to explain the sudden reality of what I now can say our community went through, I always wonder when I pass if I would have many show, or remember me.. Well for Jennie she did, it made me feel so at peace to see how every one stepped up and helped say goodbye to one of the most amazing friends I ever had the pleasure of knowing, and now helping raise her child.... see more

Barbara Elizabeth Masters, 38, passed away on Friday, July 22nd at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Barbara was born on Oct. 23, 1972 in Aurora, Il. She graduated from St. Joseph Elementary and High School in Lakewood, Ca. She relocated to Michigan upon her marriage to Craig Masters in 1992. She received her RN nursing degree from KCC in Battle Creek and her BS degree from Western Michigan University. Barbara was a former employee of Oaklawn Hospital, Marshall. ... see more

On December 19, 2009, Brett Ivan Anderson died unexpectedly at his mother’s home near Winterset, Iowa. He had just driven from his home in Wichita, Kansas the previous evening in anticipation of spending the Christmas holidays with family and friends. After telling his mother “it’s good to be home”, he fell asleep on the couch. Sometime during the night Brett went home to be with the Lord. The autopsy results were “probable cardiac arrhythmia”. Brett had shown no signs or symptoms of heart probl... see more

We became involved with SADS when our 19 year old son, Brian collapsed and died during class at MSU. He felt ill and asked for permission to leave to get some fresh air. He collapsed in a courtyard thatwasn’t heavily trafficked. He was not discovered for thirteen minutes and attempts to revive him were futile. He was pronounced DOA at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Our lives shattered. ... see more

My experience with the SADS Foundation has always been beneficial, but in different ways over the past 2 ½ years. It began with a phone call I made searching for answers after the sudden and unexpected death of my healthy fifteen year old son Brian. SADS provided information and much needed support. Nowhere else could I talk with anyone who could make any sense of the words we received from the medical examiner in Dallas, “We found your son to be in normal, healthy condition.” With the help ... see more

Three-year-old Brianna's favorite color was yellow and her favorite restaurant was the hot dog stand outside Home Depot. At 18 months she strapped on her first pair of skis and spent Saturdays forever chasing a soccer ball. She loved playing with her brother and noticed everything. ... see more

Brittany's light burns strong. Brittany Valene (1996-2005) was born on February 17, 1996 as a young, happy, and vibrant young lady. Over her years, Brittany made many friends and touched many lives. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, pick those up who had fallen, and smiled at everyone she made contact with. ... see more

I had no idea what LONG QT Syndrome was until May 2003. I was 3 years too late to save my son and 10 Months to late save my daughter! My Mom was taken to the hospital for what we thought was an anxiety attack; she was having rapid heart rhythm and fainting spells. She was diagnosed with Long QT, a rare and hereditary heart disorder that can only be found when you are alive. This doesn't show up in autopsies. It is commonly misdiagnosed as epilepsy.... see more