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Scarred Hearts public forum to bring awareness of congenital heart disease
Scarred Hearts T-shirt
Scarred Hearts t-shirts are being sold to support local nonprofits that support families experiencing heart abnormalities. (Submitted photos.)

Special to the Herald

 

R.J. Scott is only 28 years old, but has already survived two open-heart surgeries.

“Scarred Hearts apparel is coming on the scene to bring an awareness to the journey of open-heart surgery along with congenital heart disease,” said Sonja Scott, R.J.’s mother.

The Scotts are lifelong residents of Effingham County.

“(R.J.) was born with congenital heart disease and had (his first) open heart surgery at seven months old,” Sonja continued.

R.J. just went under a similar procedure last May at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Sonja added.

R. J. Scott after surgery
R.J. Scott recovering at the Mayo Clinic after open-heart surgery last May.
The Scarred Hearts forum is set for Monday, Oct. 23, from 6-8 p.m. at Starbucks, 429 S. Columbia Rd. (corner of Fort Howard), in Rincon.

“The idea is to invite people who have had open heart surgery to share their experiences,” Sonja continued.

Sonja added that healing from congenital heart disease is a life-long journey for not only the patient, but the family. Sales of the t-shirts will support local nonprofits that support families of children with congenital heart failure.

"I love wearing street wear and I have a passion for spreading love to others and sharing my story of healing; so I combined the two. This is my ‘Why’,” added R.J.

More information about the event can be found on its Facebook page at: https://bit.ly/3S2xDD9.