Montgomery County March for Babies

Team Captain Update No. 2

February 28, 2011



                                                  MISSION SPOTLIGHT: The Linz Family

Carter Thomas Linz~ Age 2

How do you write about a story you never expected? How do you do it without being a martyr yet just tell your story knowing so many others have it worse. I saw that last week in the PICU at Johns Hopkins. I am covered with guilt because as a parent it always falls back on what did I/we do. There are no answers. They gave us no answers. There were no expectations of us ever having a child. We had had multiple losses.


I lost my parents in 2001 and 2004 from heart disease. I met my husband in 2004. He is in the military and so incredible. From day one we wanted a family. After multiple losses we had Carter at 3:12 am on 1/2/2009.

Carter Thomas Linz arrived like we Pemberton-Linz do - with gusto. He was born weighing 1lb 8oz and measuring12 inches long. He was 17 weeks early and the odds were against him. We always said to them, if he fights, we will too, no option and might I add he pinched his neonatologist when she was trying to intubate him. He is a fighter…my “Rocky”.

Carter spent 165 days in the NICU. He was the “mayor” of NNMC but they saved his life. We are forever grateful. During Carter’s NICU stay he had numerous surgeries-one on his heart, one on his eyes, and one for a hernia-a brain bleed, a G-tube to help him eat and a lot of uncertainty. We were told he would leave the hospital with a trach and blind.

Throughout our journey with Carter, we were told multiple times there wasn’t anything we could do.. In my mind I went through all of the “hate”. I was broken and NO ONE can tell you anything to fix that when it is your child.


Today, Carter is growing and thriving and just celebrated his 2nd birthday. He is currently on O2 (soon to be off and he never needed a trach thank goodness!) and can see great, with his glasses. He also works hard every day to overcome challenges with Cerebral Palsy. Yes, we still have challenges ahead of us, but Carter’s story has just begun…he is meant for amazing things and Daddy and Mommy will be right there with him. God is great.


Story by Carter’s Mommy, Deanna Linz

The beautiful Miss Teen International, Juliana McKee! She helped with the press all night. Thank you Roxana for all you do!

I helped with the sports auction!

What do you get when you combine a silent auction, beautiful dresses, fine wine, inspring stories and multiple volunteers and staff members all there for the cause. The Greater Washington American Heart Association's HEART BALL! The Ritz Carlton hosted the event which brought out some of DC's elite and philanthropist. Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International being one of them!

Some of the amazing volunteers!

I had the pleasure of working the silent auction in the sports area. I love sports so I was more than happy about my assignment. The auction included a bevy of inticing offers and opportunities. In my area, the Capital tickets and all that came with them where a hot commodity and brought a dual of the pens in the last 5 seconds of the auction. We had Yankees, we had the NY Jets, we had Mohammad Ali, we had the Redskins, we had the LPGA, PGA....so you get my point...if you love sports...we had you covered. Sold, sold and sold....it was a success with a great deal of the proceeds going to the American Heart Association. As a heart attack survivor, I am so thankful for those who support and give to AHA. 

So as I go to sleep tonight, I can sleep just a little bit better knowing that today lives were touched and changes were made...in a heart healthy way.

The American Heart Association of Greater Washington raised 910,000!!!! What an amazing event!

I was honored to be asked by Adventist Healthcare to be a featured speaker at their "Love Your Heart" expo at White Flint Mall in Maryland. The turnout was great and the event was a success. The most exciting part to me...well I got to hug the surgeon that did my surgery. Its funny that when you go through a heart attack and surgery, everything is a blurr. Its important to always say thank you and today was my day to do so!

One of the best things about being out in the community is listening to others stories. It is always surprising to me what people go through and how they push through and inspire others.

Kendra Hall I met about a year ago. She is so stunning and of course I encouraged her to do Miss International. (still working on that:) I learned today about her Brother and his enlarged heart. After a successful surgery he was doing well. She was beaming with love when she told me this. Her Brother was killed shortly after in a car accident. There are heros among us..she is one.

Listen to your heart and off to bed...D

Patty MacEwan, VP at the American Heart Association

With Patty. What an amazing and inspiring lady.

I was invited to be on the panel for Prince Williams Hospital in Manassas, Virginia for their Red Dress event. The turn out was great as 75 people registered, had their cholesterol checked and were able to ask questions to the panel in regards to heart disease and stroke. I was joined on the panel by Dr. Taheri (cardiology), Dr Leet (cardiology) and Dr. Chen (Internist). Jenni Chase from WMZQ in Washington, DC emceed.



Jenni Chase, Dr Taheri, Myself and Dr Leet



Dr. Leet founded The Commonwealth Preventative Medicine Institute – an organization offering a unique and comprehensive approach for people interested in optimizing their health and longevity. Dr. Leet felt compelled to help others avoid what he experienced and encountered with his own heart attack. The Commonwealth Preventative Medicine Institute focuses on lifestyle changes and gaining control over their cardiovascular health. Dr. Taheri is currently the vice president of Prince William County Medical Society and serves as a delegate to the Medical Society of Virginia. He is a fellow of American College of Cardiology as well as Society of Coronary Angiography and Intervention. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. How I ended up with such a distinguished panel still amazes me.

Patty, Dr Leet and I

Patty MacEwan, VP at the American Heart Association was also there to share the message of heart health with Go Red for Women. You often wonder why people go into non-profit, Patty's story was one of sadness but also ispiration for all she does in honor of the Father she lost to heart disease. She is truly an incredible lady who has gone through so much and given back with such passion. Thank you Patty!!! you are so special.

Jenni Chase from WMZQ emceed

 

Thank you to all who came out and don't forget to LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!

With Bob Madigan after my interview



 Today I met a very inspirational man, Bob Madigan from WTOP radio. He is known as the "man around town". He shared with me his journey with heart disease and multiple stents placed and I also shared mine. It really just further brings to mind that there is not one face of heart disease. There are so many.

To listen to a little bit of my interview:

 http://www.facebook.com/l/47c3cvpBnS-vUWzXxuDJZd6EaiQ;ahc.cachefly.net/WAH/audio/20110209-WTOP-Linz.mp3



Thank you Bob for allowing me to share my story and thank you for being such an inspiration.

A little about Bob!

Briefly describe job : I get to drive someone else's car, invite myself to other people's parties, eat other people's food and tell yet other people about it.

Where do you live? Chic downtown Silver Spring @ stately Wayne Manor.



Most memorable story you've covered and why?: I have been blessed to cover stories all over the US and around the world. The most memorable story of a fun nature was the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. Why? Need you ask?



Book currently reading or last read: "How to speak Cobol and Fortran Fluently in 14 Days" and "Murder on the Gravy Train" by Phyllis Richman.



CD most likely to be in your stereo: Anything by William Shatner. What's on my iPod might really frighten you



Best movie recently seen: Good Night. Good Luck! OK, it is not THAT recent but Edward R. Murrow is a hero to me, and I have been lucky enough to be part of several awards in his name.



If you could pick any one man and woman (living or not) to meet for happy hour, who would they be and why? Barack & Michelle Obama, and I would pick up the tab. That way they would owe me one and maybe invite me up to the family quarters for a private tour.



If you were elected mayor tomorrow, the first thing you would do is: Force parking garages to stay open later and on weekends too, and then demand that Metro stay open even later during the week so we can better enjoy happy hours and beyond.



Favorite pastime: Finding the good in people and telling their stories.



And finally: Based on your observations as "Man About Town," what do you think DC's nightlife scene is missing? Hey, don't look at me, I didn't take it! Go ahead; check my house if you don't believe me! And yes, those two big golden lions were under the bed when I got there!


Don't forget...listen to your heart.

Deanna

One of the greatest things about the American Heart Association is their community outreach. What better arm than the retail one! After all, we all love to shop!

Today I volunteered at a Ross Store. Hey, I love to shop so I was good to go with it! Ross Stores is a huge supporter of the American Heart Association. You are able to donate to AHA at any Ross Store now through Feb 13th. I did today and also helped to share the message of living a heart healthy life. (ok and I bought a few things too!:))) So I encourage you to visit a Ross store in your area before next Sunday. Its an amazing cause and a great excuse to shop!

So today and EVERYDAY...LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!

With Ashley Smith, Miss International 2010

Photos courtesy of Mud Productions and Crystal City BID.

Miss Teen Intl 2010 and Miss Teen China 2011

Chelsea Roberts, Miss DC Intl 2010, Ashley Smith, Miss Int'l 2010 and Alexis Harvey, Miss Teen DC 2010

With the beautiful Sarah Fraser from Hot 99.5

What an amazing Team. Roxana is such an inspiration !  Roxana Hoyveda, Director of Communicationa, AHA Greater Washington



With Miss Teen China 2011 and Ashley Smith, Miss International 2010





Working the Go Red Booth! Sticker anyone?

I find myself sitting here wondering about the messages of life. What did I learn today? What did I do today? Have I become a better person? I can honestly say I learned a lot today . I am an Ambassador for the American Heart Association and today I shared my story. I feel like sometimes I am talking about someone else because I still cannot believe it is my story. I mean really, my story? Today is the National Wear Red Day and I did so proudly. I survived what so many have not, including my parents. Heart Disease.

With the beautiful Sarah Fraser from Hot 99.5. She goes goes red for her Grandpa!!!! Loved her!

I volunteered at Crystal Couture for the American Heart Association and Go Red. It was a Go Red Casting but also a night of fashion, festivities and even body painting. One lady was also painted in what they called the "Go Red lady". Amazing work but I have to admit I am avoiding posting her photos because all she had on was paint! Brave and beautiful lady who looked AMAZING. Oh, if I only had the courage, was 6 feet tall  and had a body of steel I could do it! Not....

I was also asked to help host the event and was honored to have met Sarah Fraser of the Kane Morning Show/Hot 99.5. Loved her and I am still hoping she will compete for Miss DC or MD international! She left some big shoes to fill but the job was easy with such a fabulous production company behind me. Maggy Francois, thank you!

It was also great to see the International family out in force as Go Red advocates. Ashley Smith, Miss International 2010 and the beautiful DC queens were also in attendance and looked FABULOUSLY FASHIONABLE in red! Go Red.....

Roxy at work!

Off to bed, a visit to the Ross Stores tomorrow. Ross proudly supports the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women and I proudly support them in shopping!

Tonight and every night....listen to your heart!

Body painting from the neck up!



My Mommy Go's Red FOR ME!