Ellington

Soon after Laura Dees gave birth to a baby girl named Ella Cate on May 1, 2008, Dees' daughter was diagnosed with a heart condition that thickened the valves of her heart and decreased blood flow. After several tests, cardiologists determined Ella Cate's heart function was decreasing and that she needed a heart catheterization. On the morning of July 10, 2008, while doctors were preparing Ella Cate for surgery, she passed away.

Despite their grief, Dees, her husband Aaron and 7-year-old daughter Caroline want to raise awareness about heart health, and will be participating in the Metro Jackson Start! Heart Walk this Sunday.

"Congenital heart defects is an issue that is near and dear to my heart, and this is where research can come in," Dee says. "To our knowledge, no one in our family had a heart condition, and it wasn't realized until the day after she was born,"

Dees, a resident of Pearl, says she hopes that with more money funding research other babies who are born with heart defects can be saved. With over 100 people joining her walking team, "Hearts for Ella," Dees estimates that her team has raised over $15,000.

"Everyone has been overwhelmingly supportive," she says. "We are honored to do something positive and give back to other children."

Metro Start! Heart Walk will start at the state capital building in downtown Jackson, Sunday Oct. 25. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the walk begins at 2 p.m. Go to the Heart Walk Web site for more information about the walk or to donate.