Our mission
On December 18, 2012 our son, Graeme, was born. We had an emergency delivery after the doctor detected his heart rate in the 70s at my 34 week appointment. He was diagnosed with Double Outlet Right Ventricle, Malposed Great Vessels, VSD, Coarctation of the Aorta, Straddling Mitral Valve, Aortic Valve Hypoplasia, and Complete Heart Block. This was the first day we learned what a congenital heart defect (CHD) was. Graeme was rushed to the Texas Medical Center where he underwent a coarctation repair, a pacemaker was placed, and a Pulmonary Artery band was placed. He spent the first couple of months flirting with the various nurses of the NICU. With 2 surgeries under his belt, our little trooper was released after 44 days. He came home and spread happiness to everyone he came in contact with. So many people have benefited from being around him. Although he had plenty of excuses not to be, he was the happiest little kid we could ask for. He had the most infectious smile and giant brown eyes you could ever see. His voice was pure innocence. He was so smart. He loved everything that his big brother had. He loved all types of tractors, colors, and sizes. He loved tractor rides, swinging, and pacis of all flavors. He loved to cook with his momma and do anything his daddy happened to be doing at the time. He lived a happy, full 2 1/2 years before his little body just couldn’t do it anymore on May 3, 2015. We are so blessed that we were able to spend two and a half years with him. He has taught us so much about family, love, and the gift of children. We miss you Graeme Bone.
We are committed to keeping Graeme’s name and memory alive. This is how The Graeme McDaniel Foundation came to be. We hope that by hosting yearly events like Graeme’s Run, Graeme’s Gala, raising funds for CHD research, and supporting heart families as they travel for care, we can continue to share him with the world and make him proud.
