Susan and Jason Smith faced the unimaginable nine years ago: their two-month-old daughter passed away while recovering from open heart surgery.

Born perfect and pink despite a severe congenital heart defect called HLHS, Emerson Rose Smith inspired her parents to serve other families like theirs. For Susan, the first step was donating a closet's worth of diapers and wipes from the nursery her daughter never saw. 

Within months, the first Emerson Rose Heart Foundation fundraiser supported the Smiths' vision of changing laws, equipping hospitals and supporting CHD families.

In the years since, ERHF has brought 30 children to North America from developing countries for life-saving surgeries. Most recently, eight-year-old Genesis came from Mexico to Charleston to repair a hole in her heart; ERHF spearheaded the effort to raise nearly $100,000 for the life-or-death surgery.

The Smiths say it's "a joy" to see other children with CHD thrive. On top of their foundation, they also added two beautiful daughters (biologically and via adoption) just five months apart. Their family was made official in court on Emerson's second birthday.

To learn more, visit emersonroseheartfoundation.org or @emersonroseheart on Instagram. You can reach Susan via email at [email protected]. 

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