With Hearts on Their Sleeves

It was time once again for the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild annual luncheon. Colorful displays of white, red, and pink fill the room as children’s books are strewn about the tables. Dixie Watkins, co-founder of the organization greats everyone with a warm, “Looks like all my friends are here.” Watkins has been a resident of Redlands for 17 years and says the primary goal of the guild is to raise money to help support the children’s hospital. The guild has many upcoming events for the year including the Family Fitness Fun 5k Run/Walk and Expo on April 3. Watkins says it’s not just about helping children become well again, “We have an incredible children's hospital to make children well, but we’d rather they stayed well.” The projector displayed images of many kids given the gift of a second chance at life. A comparison and contrast of where these ill stricken children began, and where they are now. Eloise Habekost, co-founder of the organization and resident of Redlands for 45 years had these encouraging words on the gift of giving to children, “Everybody needs to give, and this is a wonderful opportunity to give. It’s a gift for the future.” Various members, staff, and medical personal spent time with the sponsored Leiterman family who thanked Dr. Leonard Bailey for saving their eldest son. Dr. Bailey, who served as the keynote speaker at the event, is most notably known for performing the first xenotransplantation procedure when he placed a baboon heart into the chest of Baby Fae who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. When asked about the future of medicine, Dr. Bailey had this to say, “It’s changing dramatically. Technology is going to take it to the next level as we learn more about genetics and cell behavior.” The mood was light hearted as people made jokes and spoke of the well being of their own families. Highlighting and congratulating each other on all they’ve accomplished, and that there is still so much more to give. Dr. Bailey left these words of encouragement for any medical personnel who wishes to continue to push the boundaries of what is medically possible, “I’m of the belief that there is a little bit of Einstein in all of us. You need to find that in yourself, and persistence.” Persistence is the best remedy for whatever life brings us.