About Us

Man in blue checked shirt holding toddler wearing navy headband and brown cowboy boots, seated on a studio bench.

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Our Story

Our names are Kyle and Betty Mertens, and in 2017, we experienced an unexpected tragedy that changed the course of our lives.

Our beautiful 1-year-old daughter, Ella, who was the center of our universe, suddenly went into heart failure. We were shocked because there was no history of heart disease on either side of our family. After a short stay in the cardiac ICU, it appeared that Ella’s condition was improving. She was discharged from the hospital, and we thought the worst was behind us. It was not.

On Kyle’s thirtieth birthday, we took Ella to daycare and each headed into work. Later that morning, we received a concerning call from the daycare that Ella was extremely lethargic, and her lips were turning blue. We immediately instructed them to call 911. Ella was rushed to the nearest hospital, where we hurried to meet her. They planned to transfer her via helicopter to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, but as they were prepping her for transport, she flatlined.

We were absolutely devastated. We had no idea how we were going to move forward. The months that followed were a blur, but our community was amazingly supportive. We leaned into them and each other. Over time we began to heal, and we realized that something extraordinary happens when you go through tragedy. It uniquely qualifies you to support others.

Losing Ella was the most painful thing either of us could have imagined, but she has opened doors for some of the most profoundly positive things in our lives. The incredible people we have met, the resources we have been able to create and the lives we are saving through our non-profit- none of it would have been possible without Ella.

She is a reminder that the good of having something special far outweighs the pain of losing it. Whatever brought you to read our story, we are honored that you spent your time learning more about us. It is our deepest hope that you feel inspired and encouraged in all the ways that you have been uniquely equipped to support others.

What We Stand For

Strategic Advancement: We channel every ounce of heartbreak into a powerful force for change, relentlessly funding cutting-edge research and technology to advance pediatric heart care.
Unwavering Hope
Under our umbrella, a CHD diagnosis doesn’t mean despair. We are a constant source of optimism in a world that can feel uncertain, driven by a belief that a next step is always within reach.
Compassionate Expertise
We know what you’re going through because we’ve been there. Based on our shared experience, we offer a hand to hold, an empathetic ear and expert resources that provide real, tangible relief and support.