This is story is about my beautiful niece Shelby. She was born in October of 1993. When she came into this world everything seemed perfect about her. In the first couple of months of her precious life, it was diagnosed that she had a double inlet left ventricle. She went through 3 open heart surgeries and had a pace maker put in. Every day we would like to say thank you to Dr. Bove for what he has done in order to keep her in our lives. This year she is turning 20 and the world is at her feet.She has overcome many obstacles in her life. She has touched so many people lives and has taught all of us how to love everyone and love life. If you have ever met her or get the chance to you will know that she is an angel from above. She just has this special quality about her that is hard to explain. I do know that she has a way to make everything perfect when you are with her.

When Trenton was born we had little hope our son would survive. With a few heart surgeries with the only pediatric heart surgeon in our home state of New Mexico, and the last one being unsuccessful with Trenton coding for 30 minutes the morning after the surgery, our doctors and our family were faced with a decision as to what was the next step for Trenton.

The best Christmas gift we received was on December 24, 2011… A call from Trenton’s cardiologist telling us we were going to travel across the country, so Dr. Bove could perform a miracle. With so many risks, uncertainties and a road that could not prepare us for the days and months following the Biventricular repair with baffle of VSD to aorta (Rastelli procedure), RV to PA conduit, atrial separation  and repair of TAPVR,  Dr. Bove was to perform on our little angel; it was the simple handshake that touched our hearts and healed Trenton’s.

We were at Mott Children’s Hospital for 3 months before being transferred to our home hospital in Albuquerque. Trenton is now 2 years old, so sweet and full of love, life, laughter and the most flirtatious boy I know! Dr. Bove has a special gift of healing hearts… It takes a special person to be the amazing surgeon and man he is. The care, concern, and love he shows his patients and their family is a true blessing. My son is alive because of Dr. Bove. We will forever be grateful to Dr. Bove and the entire Pediatric Cardio-Thoracic Unit.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Eric, Heather, Colton and Trenton

Ian was flown to Michigan for surgery. Dr. Bove performed the first-stage surgery when Ian was only a week old. Ian had many complications following that first surgery…he was in kidney failure and needed dialysis, he hid platelets… we were “residents” at Mott Children’s hospital for about 6 weeks. Ian breezed through the next two surgeries.

16 years later, Ian is still with us and doing well!

Thank you, Dr. Bove!

-The Pierces

Immediately it was clear that something was wrong. He could not breathe on his own and had fluid in his lungs. It took the doctors in Toledo five days to figure out what was wrong. Joseph was diagnosed with Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return. The doctors said they only saw a case like his about once every three years, so our best course of action would be to go to Ann Arbor where Dr. Bove could perform the surgery that would save Joseph’s life.

I remember meeting Dr. Bove for the first time. He put two very scared, first time parents at ease. He and his team, including all of the doctors and amazing nurses, provided our son with the best care possible.

Today, Joseph is an energetic, smart, funny 9 year old who loves to play with Legos and is a whiz at Math. He wouldn’t be here without the expertise and work of Dr. Bove and for that, we will always be thankful.

I was diagnosed prenatally and was terrified. Within hours it seemed that one name kept coming up. Anyone we knew who had any experience with congenital heart disease told us about Dr. Bove. We were referred to the University of Michigan by Tom’s cardiologist in Grand Rapids. It was obvious from our first meeting that our son would be in a place with the best surgeon where he would have the absolute best chance at a normal life.

Twelve years later, I would say that his life has been better than normal. Tom just finished his first year of middle school. He is an all A student, the first chair trumpet in the band, a baseball player and a member of our community foundation’s youth advisory council. He has an amazing personality that draws anyone and everyone to him and he will no doubt spend his life making the world a better place.

We are thrilled to see Dr. Bove being honored in this way and wish you continued success in your fundraising efforts.

Hollie and Bo (parents to Tom: 12, HLHS/PLE, and Sarah, 9)

Angelina, our daughter, has hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Dr. Bove performed the three surgeries necessary to complete the Fontan circulation. Both before and after her surgeries, his calm manner and personality helped us to feel a sense of hope and peace.

Dr. Bove is an extraordinary man with his amazing talent to perform surgeries, conduct research regarding new techniques, and his ability to interact with patients and their families in a genuine, caring manner. We feel blessed that he has been an important part of Angelina’s and our lives.

This is a picture of Angelina after her Fontan procedure at Mott. She was two years old at that time. In the picture, you will notice she was not too fond of any person in a white coat entering her room.

At the Michigan Congenital Heart Center Patient Reunion at Wiard’s Orchard, on June 23^rd, 2012, Angelina was able to meet Dr. Bove and take a picture with him. She is eight now and has many reasons to smile. She is full of life, a great student, a softball player, a dancer, and is starting to take golf and tennis lessons.

We are very thankful for all that Dr. Bove and the team at Mott have done for our little girl. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I would like to tell you

how Mott and DR. BOVE

have made my life POSSIBLE…

…Thank you Dr.Bove for everything that you did for me 21 years ago. I am 25 now and living my life to the fullest. I am a chef now and cooking away thanks to you.

I would like to tell you

how Mott and DR. BOVE

have made my life MUCH BETTER…

…Tyler was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). He was diagnosed in utero. After some research, we discovered that Dr. Bove and Mott Children’s Hospital were the way to go!

Three surgeries later, Tyler is doing great! He says he rarely thinks about his heart. Tyler was an accomplished gymnast for many years but had to stop because of the HLHS. He has few restrictions, otherwise.

Our thanks to the Ronald McDonald house – they were wonderful during a difficult time. And of course to Dr. Bove for the precious gift he gave us.

I would like to tell you

how Mott and DR. OHYE

have made my life AWESOME…

 …I am happy I do not have to use a wheelchair anymore.