By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Region – Personal reasons compel Dolores Edgren of Southborough to support the Adult Congenital Heart Association and Children’s Heart Foundation, which are the benefiting charities of the Congenital Heart Walk – Boston. Her daughter Kim Edgren of North Grafton is a congenital heart defect survivor and chair of the walk since its inception in 2012.
As captain of Team Wee Care for Kimmie, Dolores is organizing the third annual kickoff celebration, a fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, April 1, from 7 p.m. to midnight, at DoubleTree by Hilton in Westborough. It’s also an opportunity for the family to celebrate Kim’s recent 50th birthday. Kim had undergone multiple surgeries by age 10, Dolores noted.
“It’s certainly a celebration that Kim has reached this milestone, which she was not expected to ever see,” Dolores said. “When she went into surgery 40 years ago, they said her chances were 50-50. Now, she’s advocating and lobbying for heart funding in Washington, D.C.”
Perhaps raising funds and awareness is a family trait. When Dolores formed the walk team six years ago, she asked friends and family for donations. She amplified her efforts in 2015 by introducing the kickoff celebration to attract more supporters.
“This is the first year that we’re having dinner at the kickoff celebration,” she announced. “We want it to be a fancier, fun night with dinner and dancing.”
Among silent auction items offered are a diamond jewelry piece; 10 classes at Orangetheory Fitness, Marlborough; two-night private home stay and tour of the 2017 Masters Tournament, Augusta, Ga.; three nights at Colonnade Hotel, Boston; two nights at Mohegan Sun; autographed Bruins team hockey stick; and game tickets for Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox.
Also featured will be two speakers, Dr. Michelle Gurvitz and Dr. Mary Kay Klein, discussing congenital heart disease.
In the past five years, Team Wee Care for Kimmie has raised over $70,000 in support of Congenital Heart Walks. The sixth annual walk will be held Sunday, April 23, at 11 a.m., around Boston Common.
“This is a wonderful, underfunded cause,” Dolores said. “We’ve reaped the benefits of research. I want to see more research to make it easier for everyone who’s afflicted.”
Donation for the kickoff celebration is $125 per person; table for eight is $1,000. RSVP by Wednesday, March 22, is encouraged. For tickets and information, contact Dolores at 617-694-5370. Online donations to the team can be made at events.congenitalheartwalk.org/goto/teamweecareforkimmie.