CBD College’s student body donated $2,000 to the Beating Hearts Foundation and visited the Cardiac Wing of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Last month, CBD College was proud to host Eileen Garrido, founder of the Beating Hearts Foundation, as a Guest Speaker on campus. During her presentation, Eileen spoke about her heart condition, Tetralogy of Fallot, and how her three open heart surgeries, while life-threatening, have not stopped her from enjoying her youth and pursuing her passion for music and singing.

Eileen’s voice is truly angelic and her story continues to serve as an inspiration to our students to not only further their education but give back to their community.

We are proud to announce that our students were able to raise $2,000 in less than two weeks of fundraising.

CBD College presented this giant check (seen in the picture at right) in front of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to Eileen and the Beating Hearts Foundation. We were told that all proceeds would be used to help fund and support the Heart Institute of CHLA.

Eileen and the Beating Hearts Foundation were kind enough to invite CBD College to tour the Cardiac Wing of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The Cardiac Wing boasts some of the world’s most advanced technology and serves as an international leader in the treatment of heart disease and lung disorders. In addition, CBD College was able to tour the 24-bed Cardiothoracic Intensive Unit (CTICU) which houses critically ill infants and children with heart or lung disease. Additionally, CBD toured the Cardivasular Acute Care Unit, which houses 21 beds, and cares for cardiovascular acute care cases. The Cardiac Wing is the largest inpatient unit for children with congenital heart disease on the West Coast!

CBD College is committed to supporting Eileen, The Beating Hearts Foundation and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

For those that missed last months article, please feel free to read below!

At the tender age of 10 many kids are engulfed in school, sports and various extracurricular activities. Eileen Garrido, founder of the Beating Hearts Foundation, was busy laying the groundwork of her legacy. Diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a potentially life threatening condition shortly after birth, Eileen learned all too quickly how delicately life can hang in the balance. At the age of 5 weeks, Eileen underwent her first heart surgery to extend her life. At the age of 13 months, Eileen underwent her second heart surgery for additional repairs to her heart. Most recently on June 10, 2014, Eileen underwent her third heart surgery to complete earlier surgeries and improve her quality of life.

Eileen chose not only to fight her disease with a passion, but also help those battling right beside her. Her foundation works to raise funds for her primary benefactor Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a leading research facility in the area of pediatric cardiac disease. In addition, a portion of the funds raised go directly to families who would not be able to pay for services due to a lack of insurance or a lack of covered benefits. To this day, the Beating Hearts Foundation has raised millions of dollars for CHLA and has garnered support from various celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Jane Seymour, Marie Osmond and George Lopez to name a few.

CBD College was proud to host Eileen Garrido as a Guest Speaker on campus on March 24^th. She served and continues to serve as an inspiration to our amazing students to not only further their education but give back to their community.

Our students, faculty and staff have been showing their support through various fundraising events held on campus between 3/28 and 4/8, with all proceeds benefiting the Beating Hearts Foundation. Here are some pictures from the fundraisers!

So far CBD College has helped raise over $2,000 in just 2 weeks!