Reagan Bradshaw, 7 years old

Four months before she was born, Reagan was diagnosed with two extremely serious heart defects: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return. Reagan had only half a heart and her pulmonary veins were not attached to her heart.

With a bleak diagnosis and very uncertain future, Reagan was born to anxious but grateful parents Robyn and Wes on July 14, 2009. Although the prognosis was grim, Dr. Gordon Cohen, co-director of Seattle Children’s Heart Center, agreed to perform a difficult and lengthy surgery in an attempt to begin repairing Reagan’s heart. At age 14 days, Reagan underwent a procedure so complex that most other hospitals would not even have attempted it.

Against the odds, the surgery was a success! Afterward, Reagan spent 30 hours on heart-lung bypass machine. Her chest was open for 10 days, yet amazingly, she was able to go home to Yakima within a week of doctors closing her chest.

Since that time, Reagan has undergone the second of at least three surgeries she will need. She recovered so quickly, she was able leave the hospital six days after surgery.

Every day we thank Children’s for giving Reagan a chance at life. She is amazingly strong and is a testament to the care, talent and compassion that the very special people at Children’s possess.  We are forever grateful!

Today, Reagan enjoys walking, talking, playing with puppies, cuddling, eating and all the other things that any four year old kid loves to do!

Seattle University's Dance Marathon has the special privilege of working with Miracle Kids from Seattle Children's Hospital, who have benefited from the Uncompensated Care Fund that our philanthropy supports. Our Miracle Kids and their families attend SUDM events throughout the year, including The Dance Marathon.