Marlow family shares story of love and hope at hospital

Each month, Hannah Linsky, 3, and her family express their love for the tiniest hospital patients.

However, the Linsky's caring efforts have special meaning this week — Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, Feb. 7-13.

Hannah's mother, Deonna Linsky, said her family started their Hannah's Hearts ministry several years ago to provide care and support to families with “heart babies,” infants diagnosed with congenital heart defects, plus children born with other life-threatening conditions.

Linsky, of Marlow, said she and her husband Chris know only too well what families arriving at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at OU Medical Center's The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center are feeling.

She said little Hannah faced heart troubles in August 2008 when she was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries, a congenital heart defect, a few days after her birth at a Duncan hospital. Linsky said Hannah was whisked to OU Medical Center's The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center where she spent two days before she was sent on to Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Hannah had open heart surgery at the Dallas hospital when she was just 9 days old.

The Linskys, whose family also includes daughters, Emily, 13; Abbey, 11; and Lucy, 1, said they believe the quick diagnosis of Hannah's condition, along with her successful heart surgery and recovery are miracles from the Lord.

“A lot of heart babies are sent home before the problem is found and so some don't make it back to the hospital,” Deonna Linsky said.

“Hanna is doing great today. How could we not give back?” Deonna Linsky said.

Looking for ways to do just that, Linsky said the family began donating funds to Samaritan's Purse initiative called the Children's Heart Project. Samaritan's Purse is an international relief ministry started by evangelist Franklin Graham. Through the Children's Heart Project, the ministry helps children born in countries lacking the means for lifesaving heart surgery connect with hospitals that can save their lives.