Hayden's Story

Hi! I have been getting a lot of requests for Hayden's story.

When Hayden was born, he came out blue and not breathing. It took the doctors several hours before they were able to figure out what was wrong with him. The doctors determined that Hayden had a rare heart condition that required an arterial switch. He had what is referred to as Transposition of the Greater Arteries.

Since Hayden was unable to breathe on his own, he was intubated and started on medication to try to keep him alive. At only 18 hours old, Dr. Teodori performed Hayden's first heart surgery, where they intentionally put a hole in his heart to try to circulate the blood. Then, at just one week old, Hayden had open heart surgery. Hayden was put on heart and lung bypass machines. He had so much swelling and so many complications during the surgery that he did not stabalize for a couple of days. At 10 days old, he was doing a little better and the doctors performed his third surgery. I am still amazed at Dr. Teodori and his ability to switch Hayden's aorta, pulmonary arteries and the coronary arteries that were only 1 1/2 millimeters wide.

On Christmas Eve, Hayden still wasn't breathing or eating on his own. He was really struggling. Josh's son, Dallin, was five years old at the time. He knelt down on Christmas Eve and told Jesus all he wanted for Christmas was for Hayden to get better. Much to our amazement, on Christmas morning, Hayden started breathing. The doctors were able to take some of the tubes out and he started recovering.

It was our Christmas miracle.

On Christmas morning, Santa didn't forget Hayden, or that he was in the hospital. Santa, Mrs. Claus and even one of Santa's special elves, came to personally deliver presents to Hayden and all the other children in the hospital. Sure, Hayden was a baby and didn't realize the significance of Santa personally delivering his Christmas presents, but as a mom, I understood. And, the little 6 year old boy, that was in the room next to Hayden understood. I witnessed first hand what a difference that made in my life, and all the children's lives that were in the hospital. These kids weren't just sick kids. They were excited little boys and girls waking up on Christmas morning. They were kids. They were able to experience the true joy of the season and be giddy and happy.

I couldn't make Hayden or any of the other children in the hospital well. I couldn't give them the wonderful Christmas at home that they all so longed for. But, I had the ability to help make a sick child's Christmas a merry and happy time, even if they are in the hospital. And, for one day, they can just be little boys and girls, waking up to the excitement that surrounds Christmas morning.

I, for one, am grateful for the small part that I can play in making a child's Christmas morning merry. And, I appreciate all the wonderful people that have helped make Hayden's Toy Drive a success. I can assure you, it does make a difference.

Hayden's Toy Drive 2008

Jodi did an amazing job on this years flyer for Hayden's Toy Drive. We are now collecting toys for Phoenix Children's Hospital. Please call Jerlyn at 602-228-1861 to arrange for me to pick up any donations. We certainly appreciate everyone's support for Hayden's Toy Drive!

Stories from Parents

We have had some wonderful experiences since we have started the toy drive. I am going to start documenting some of my favorites.

We were in Walmart one day and Hayden was buying toys for the toy drive with money that Grandma Star had given him. The check out lady told Hayden he was one lucky little boy to get so many toys. Hayden spoke up and said, "These aren't for me. These are for the sick kids at the hospital". The lady behind us in line explained that her daughter was in PCH and had received some toys after her operation. It was very comforting to her daughter to receive a new toy after coming out of surgery. She had tears as she hugged Hayden and told him thank you from all the parents of kids in the hospital.

We had a lady that read about Hayden's Toy Drive in the paper and her daughter had just passed away. She brought over armfuls of dolls and stuffed animals to donate to the toy drive. She sat and talked about how her daughter had received all kinds of toys and stuffed animals while in the hospital and how comforting it was to her to sleep with a stuffed toys after having surgeries.

A man called and asked how his children could help out with the toy drive. They decided to do good deeds for neighbors and in lieu of being paid for their efforts, they requested the neighbors donate a toy to Hayden's Toy Drive. They collected toys and brought them over. They added each toy carefully to the pile and told what chores and good deeds they had done to earn each item.

Hayden and Brooklyn had a garage sale to raise money for Hayden's Toy Drive. With the money collected, they were able to go to the store and pick out toys for the children at the hospital. I was amazed as I watched them carefully select toys that were best suited for children laying in bed. I was so impressed as neither asked for things for themselves but selected great things for the sick children. I was so impressed, especially at ages 3 and 5 years old.

My all time favorite was when PCH volunteers asked Hayden last year if he knew he was doing a good thing by collecting toys for the hospital. His reply with sweet, simple and to the point. "Yea, I know... Heavenly Father whispers to my heart that I am doing a good thing". That says it all. We've been so blessed by the toy drive and all the wonderful people we have met through it.

Delivering Toys to PCH

Thomas, Hayden and I delivered the toys to the helpers at Phoenix Children's Hospital. It took a truck with a trailer and the SUV completely packed to get all the toys and donations to PCH. What a wonderful feeling being able to drop off the toys.

2007 Toy Drive

Thanks to so many wonderful people that donated toys, 2007 was a huge success. We collect 2049 toys, pajamas and items for Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Hayden in the middle of our donations.


Our family room was packed with toys!

It is hard to describe how many toys there were.

Hayden's Toy Drive 2006

Hayden's Toy Drive began in 2006, when Hayden was 4 years old. We had been taking toys to the hospital on Hayden's birthday every year just to thank the staff for being so wonderful to Hayden.

Hayden stood up in his preschool class and announced that we were collecting toys for the hospital. Then, Hayden started going around to his grandparents, aunts & uncles, friends, doctors and complete strangers and telling them about the toy drive. That is where it all began.

In the first year of the toy drive, we collected 766 toys and $5610. Pretty good for a 4 year old asking for donations.