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March 29, 2024 2:50 am
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Local Team Seeks Support In Kid’s Heartwalk

Organizers are making the final preparations for the 13th annual “Walk With The Heart of a Child” event to be held this weekend as the Fashion Show Mall. The 3K walk is designed to raise money to help the Children’s Heart Foundation in assisting families in Nevada whose children have been affected by a heart disease.

Since their five year old daughter, Mikheala lost her life in 2001 due to heart disease, Overton residents Carrie and Scott Beckstrand have taken it as their mission to assist southern Nevada families who are going through similar ordeals. With assistance from other parents of heart children, the Beckstrands established the Childrens’ Heart Foundation for that purpose.

This weekend’s “Walk With The Heart Of A Child” event is the organization’s main annual fundraiser.
“There are so many needs that these families have that you just don’t see on the surface,” Carrie Beckstrand said. “Many have to travel long distances to receive specialized care. There are transportation costs and food and housing. Much of those kinds of expenses are not covered by insurance. We can often help with some of that.”

In addition, the foundation holds an annual summer camp, Camp Mend-A-Heart, for children with heart disease. Last summer, the camp had more than 55 kids attend the weeklong camp, providing a safe and fun experience with peers who understand their situations.
“Camp is so much fun and we have had great support from the youth and young adults in this Valley,” Beckstrand said. “It is a great experience.”

One local youth is Jenni Jacobsmeyer. Her and the Jacobsmeyer family have been involved with the heart foundation since 2008, after Jenni’s third open heart surgery. Jenni was able to be a first time counselor this past summer at Camp Mend a Heart.
“Jenni has come a long way since becoming involved with the foundation,” Beckstrand said. “She was a shy 11 year old at the time and is now a very active 19 year old.”

Jacobsmeyer is leaving at the end of March to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Charlotte, North Carolina, but plans on continuing to volunteer for the foundation when she returns.

A local team is being organized for the” Walk With The Heart Of A Child” event. The Moapa Valley team is called “Team Moapa Valley”. The team will be accepting registrations up until the day of the event. Participants who wish to do the walk receive a T-shirt for the event. Those unable to make the walk but who wish to participate are welcome become virtual walkers and make a donation to the team.

The Walk With The Heart Of A Child event will take place on Saturday, February 27 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas.
For more information on the event or to get involved, go to www.chfn.org or call Carrie Beckstrand at 397-6039.

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