This post was authored by Robert Beekman, III, MD, FACC, chair of ACC’s Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology (ACPC) Section.

This year at ACC.16 several congenital heart disease (CHD)-focused sessions and events will take place, including an ACPC Section “CHD Community Day” focused on “Using Data to Improve CHD Care Across the Lifespan.” Other events include the 47th Annual Louis F. Bishop Lecture given by Carole A. Warnes, MD, FACC, on “Adult Congenital Heart Disease: The Challenges of a Lifetime” and the 2016 Dan G. McNamara Lecture on “Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in CHD: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?” given by Jane Newburger, MD, MPH, FACC. (Check out the Congenital Heart Disease Learning Pathway for more CHD sessions).

I am personally excited, however, to showcase the winner of ACC’s first “Design-a-Tie: Raise CHD Awareness” contest. The contest was open to anyone with a connection to CHD and a vision to share. The submissions we received from across the country were all amazing. However, one stood out from the rest.

Olivia Root (age 13) is the eldest sister to Elliott (age eight), who was born with double inlet left ventricle. Within his first nine months of life, Elliott underwent two surgeries and eventually had a Fontan operation at age six. The Fontan operation required an extensive hospital stay and inpatient rehabilitation and Elliott’s Fontan eventually had to be taken down. However, while his cardiology team is considering alternative courses for care, Elliott is a vivacious young boy – who is clearly loved by his sister and the rest of the family.

Olivia and her younger sister, Erin, have grown closer to their younger brother during the uncertainty that has dominated Elliott’s life. Olivia actively supports her mother’s involvement in Mended Little Hearts of Binghamton, NY, including sharing her computer skills and organizing event registrations and kid-friendly face painting booths.

Olivia’s design, titled “A Sister’s Love Uplifts Hearts,” depicts two children holding a red balloon bouquet. To Olivia, the red balloons are symbolic of CHD. Fragile, yet uplifting and ultimately optimistic, Olivia envisions the red balloon symbol uniting the CHD community and increasing awareness about a disease affecting nearly three million children and adults in U.S.

CHD is a lifelong disease, requiring specialized care. The “Design-a-Tie” contest is just one of the many innovative ways the ACC is actively working with pediatric and adult CHD cardiologists, surgeons, CHD care team members, patients and family members to advocate for health care systems and policies that emphasize a continuum within CHD care. Through development of collaborative care networks, clinical data registries and quality initiatives, we can advance the long- term quality of life for patients like Elliott.

Congratulations Olivia!

More information about the College’s activities to improve the care of patients with CHD is available at ACC.org/ACPC. Olivia’s tie will be available for purchase during ACC.16 at the ACC Store, located next to ACC Central on the Expo Floor. Proceeds from the sale of the tie will support quality improvement efforts in congenital heart disease. Those interested in purchasing a tie post-ACC.16, please email acpcsection@acc.org.

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not represent endorsement by the ACC.

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