History of Hearts and Hope Foundation, Inc.
On December 3rd, 2008, my wife Lyndsi gave birth to our first child and we named him Luke Wesley Sigmon. As proud new parents, we took him home full of excitement and eager to begin parenting our happy and healthy addition. However, less than eight days later he was taken to the emergency room with a temperature of ninety-five degrees. After numerous tests, it was determined that Luke had multiple congenital heart defects related to a condition known as 22q Deletion Syndrome. Luke had his first, sixteen hour, surgery at Levine’s Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC on December 16th, 2008. In February of 2009, a second surgery was needed and he was transferred to Boston’s Children’s Hospital. Although Luke continued to make progress, in August of 2009 during a routine follow up appointment, he experienced another cardiac event and a heart transplant was recommended for Luke as the best option for his health. He was placed on the heart transplant list in September and on October 31st (Halloween), 2009, Luke received his heart. He was only 11 months old.
When we look back at this difficult and emotional period of our lives, we noticed that during the first fifteen months of Luke’s young life, we spent over twelve months living in a hospital away from our jobs and our home. What made that possible was all the support that we received from our family, friends, church and community. Not only were we in their prayers, they planned numerous fund raisers and made donations that assisted with the financial burden created with Luke’s medical issues. During that time, TEAM LUKE was formed.
As Luke became stronger, older and grew, so did his team. TEAM LUKE, which consisted of hundred if not thousands of friends, friends of friends, family members, churches and community from all over, felt their lives had changed as a result of being a part of Luke’s journey. It was this extremely strong team’s willingness to help and our family’s want, need and desire to somehow pay all that was given back, that lead to Luke’s family forming the Hearts and Hope Foundation, Inc. This organization, which was incorporated in December of 2013 and obtained tax exempt 501 c 3 approval in July of 2014, was formed in honor of Luke Wesley Sigmon to help other children and families in need. In addition to helping with children with medical issues, this organization helps struggling children with many other financial needs. Some of those needs include assisting with the purchase prom dresses, letter jackets, books, food, shoes, clothing or helping them attend camps, pay for their graduation expenses, etc.
On March 31st, 2015, Luke Wesley Sigmon passed away at the age of 6 years old. This was a difficult loss, but one that has made our family, our organization and everyone that was a part of TEAM LUKE stronger. Today our organization works hard to honor the memory of this young boy that changed the lives of many. The Hearts and Hope Foundation is growing and more dedicated to our mission of helping children and families that are in need and 100% of all proceeds will be used to fund this worthy cause.
When we look back at this difficult and emotional period of our lives, we noticed that during the first fifteen months of Luke’s young life, we spent over twelve months living in a hospital away from our jobs and our home. What made that possible was all the support that we received from our family, friends, church and community. Not only were we in their prayers, they planned numerous fund raisers and made donations that assisted with the financial burden created with Luke’s medical issues. During that time, TEAM LUKE was formed.
As Luke became stronger, older and grew, so did his team. TEAM LUKE, which consisted of hundred if not thousands of friends, friends of friends, family members, churches and community from all over, felt their lives had changed as a result of being a part of Luke’s journey. It was this extremely strong team’s willingness to help and our family’s want, need and desire to somehow pay all that was given back, that lead to Luke’s family forming the Hearts and Hope Foundation, Inc. This organization, which was incorporated in December of 2013 and obtained tax exempt 501 c 3 approval in July of 2014, was formed in honor of Luke Wesley Sigmon to help other children and families in need. In addition to helping with children with medical issues, this organization helps struggling children with many other financial needs. Some of those needs include assisting with the purchase prom dresses, letter jackets, books, food, shoes, clothing or helping them attend camps, pay for their graduation expenses, etc.
On March 31st, 2015, Luke Wesley Sigmon passed away at the age of 6 years old. This was a difficult loss, but one that has made our family, our organization and everyone that was a part of TEAM LUKE stronger. Today our organization works hard to honor the memory of this young boy that changed the lives of many. The Hearts and Hope Foundation is growing and more dedicated to our mission of helping children and families that are in need and 100% of all proceeds will be used to fund this worthy cause.