Little Hearts, Big Hearts

The cause is to benefit “little hearts” but there were some really big hearts present at the 32nd annual “Little Hearts Luncheon and Fashion Show” on Friday.

This heart-warming fashion show and luncheon featured models, who have been treated at the Children’s Hospital Colorado Heart Institute, walking the runway with their heroes – their doctors, firefighters and pets. This unique event benefits the Heart Institute at CHC.

There’s the old saying “dance like no one is watching” and many of the models did just that, taking advantage of their 15 seconds of fame by strutting and dancing with abandonment and just plain enjoying the day through and through.

To kick off the program, longtime Chair and supporter Lyn Schaffer welcomed everyone and introduced Marilee and Ben Doud, who presented the Maxwell Doud Paws of Praise award, in honor of the late dog Maxwell, who was an integral part of the program for many years. The honor was given to Kathleen McBride.

Dr. Michael Schaffer then presented the Sam and Fern Primack “Heart Who Cares” award to Dawn Schmeck and Caitlin Brateng.

Dr. Jeff Darst told a heartwarming yet not uncommon story about a child at CHC who went into trauma recently, and because of the teamwork and legendary talent present, the child was saved and is doing very well now.

The real stars of the day were the models, who have all been patients at CHC and have treated things like open heart surgery and transplants as not a big deal. But it is a huge deal and the huge hearts at CHC are there to make sure the care is the very best of the best.