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Our Work
Lasting Imprint is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that exists to create a supportive community that will join in the fight against congenital heart defects (CHD) through education, research and assistance to heart families. Funds raised by Lasting Imprint are used to educate and raise awareness about CHD — the most common birth defect globally — and to provide support and assistance to CHD families, contribute AEDs to local communities, and donate to CHD related research groups locally in Minnesota.
Lasting Imprint Family Kits
Our CHD kits are distributed to families admitted to M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis and St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester for cardiac care. This is our first real opportunity to reach families who are often in need of support and encouragement. Our kits provide items that are helpful during hospital stays such as a water bottle, lotion, chap stick, children’s book, coloring book and crayons, etc. The kit is designed to provide items and resources both in the hospital setting and once families return home. It also opens families up to a huge support network of others who have experienced a situation similar to their own by connecting them through our discussion groups, family activities, and social interaction via Facebook.
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Community Education + Awareness
We work hard to spread awareness and educate communities about congenital heart defects. Awareness activities include awareness walks and speaking engagements to nursing classes, community service clubs like Rotary and Kiwanis, and local media and news outlets. Lasting Imprint often has a booth at different events that are heart or pregnancy focused. We have partnered with clinics and hospitals to get our brochures to expecting parents who learn of a CHD diagnosis. We also have established relationships with county employees who work with programs many heart families utilize. We love to take on every opportunity we can to share with others the Lasting Imprint story!
Research Donations
Approximately 1 in 100 babies born in the United States each year will have a congenital heart defect (CHD), which makes it the most common birth defect. Little is known about what causes CHD’s and little is known on how to prevent them. Our families have a strong passion for supporting CHD research through money raised by Lasting Imprint. It is through this research that we will be able to better understand CHD’s and how to prevent and treat them. Lasting Imprint is proud to work directly with research groups locally in Minnesota to ensure that all donations made to research are put towards the most promising and effective studies being done.
AED Donations
People who have a history of cardiovascular disease or a congenital heart defect are at higher risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for the condition.
​​More than 15% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in a public location and accordingly, public-access AEDs and community training have a large role to play in early defibrillation.
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In 2018, Lasting Imprint began an initiative to donate automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to local schools and community gathering spaces. AED donations include training the recipient's faculty in CPR and proper AED use.​
Our work would not be possible without your support
As you can see, we are working hard to make an impact in a variety of areas. It is an incredible load for an organization made up primarily of volunteers, but our passion aided with your help is leaving an imprint that is simply astounding. Thank you for your generous hearts and gifts in support of these goals.