Join The HERD in Making a Difference
At The HERD, we are committed to supporting children battling congenital heart disease (CHD) and local critically ill children. With your help, we can fund vital research and provide essential support to local families in need. Together, we can create a brighter future for young hearts.
Who We Are
We are your neighbors, friends, and family—coming together to support your CHD Warrior or critically ill child with love, strength, and community.
The HERD started in 2019 as Cash's Heart Herd by the Schleucher Family to raise awareness and funds for CHD research. From 2020 to 2023, Cash's Heart Herd held a 5k Walk/Run in Mercer Co, Ohio raising awareness, providing education and raising money for CHD projects. In 2024, Cash's Heart Herd held its first The Beat Goes On...gala. Cash's Heart Herd went under an expansion in 2025 becoming "The HERD" and including local critically ill hospitalized children as a third focus to the mission statement at the 2nd Annual 2025 The Beat Goes On... gala. In addition to the foregoing events, The HERD holds special events for CHD Warriors and grant recipients, provides opportunities for community awareness, and connects with other non-profits to expand our ability to help others. It is our goal to not only physically and emotionally support the children within The HERD, but to continue to annually support the expansion and progression of cardiac and CHD research, and raise awareness.
What is CHD
CHD is Congenital Heart Disease
CHD is the No. 1 birth defect in the United States, yet it is gravely underfunded in research. 1 in every 100 children will be born with CHD. It is a non-curable disease that often requires life-saving intervention at birth and throughout the child's life. These interventions include open heart surgery. Approximately 1/3 of children born with CHD are diagnosis prior to birth. There are 40 different types of heart defects that can be present at birth resulting in a CHD diagnosis. Current research has established that only an approximate 15% of CHD diagnosis are genetic. Therefore, this means that we still do not know why 85% of the children born with CHD have these defects; leading to the need for advancements in CHD research.
Impacting Lives, One Heart at a Time
We focus on fundraising to support pediatric heart research and aid local children fighting critical illnesses.
We have raised over $317,360 in five-years. These funds have provided families learning of their child's diagnosis educational and support bags for all Ohio pediatric hospitals, funded the Spanish translation of educational pamphlets for Ohio pediatric hospitals, several research projects, CHD family support, and local grants to CHD and critically ill hospitalized children.
Through the annual The Beat Goes On... Event, we have and continue to raise awareness of CHD in Ohio communities.
We are actively providing grants to families that are living with a critically ill hospitalized child and are struggling to maintain consistent presence of a parent or family member due to financial constraints. Your donation directly touches the hearts of your local children.
Every contribution helps us make a significant impact.
Join us in our journey to ensure every child has a fighting chance.
$317,360
Funds Raised
10
Children Grants Awarded
7
Research & Hospital Grants Awarded
Pediatric Heart Research
Funding groundbreaking research to find a cure and improve treatments for congenital heart diseases.
We have donated over $162,000 to Ohio pediatric hospitals for congenital heart disease research. We have given the initial grant money needed to push the COURAGE Project through Nationwide Children's Hospital to the next clinical trial steps. This action is changing children's lives in real-time, and we are honored to be a part of the progression.
Click here to be directed to our Facebook Page for more information on this year's research project that we are supporting.
Local Support Initiatives
Offering assistance and resources to families with children facing a congenital heart disease diagnosis and children hospitalized with non-heart related critical illnesses. Follow the link below to access the application to nominate or request financial grants for someone. Email the application to theheartherd@gmail.com.
*Note* We do not provide monetary grants. All grants will be provided in forms pre-approved by the Board. Including but not limited to: gas cards, cafeteria gift cards, and direct hotel payments.
Community Fundraising Events
Participating in and organizing events that raise awareness and funds for our mission. The Beat Goes On... is our highlight event each year held during CHD Awareness Week in February.
Click on the Facebook Event page link at the bottom for more information about The Beat Goes On... and your opportunity to secure tickets.
Long-Term Commitment
Working tirelessly to advocate for children with heart conditions and the wellness of our local critically ill children.
We are working with our local hospital to provide on-site HERD bags containing information about our CHD support group, information about CHD, and needed necessities for the unexpected turn in your child's young life.
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