Family needs sponsorship help

Dan Marcheano, owner of The Arches restaurant, is doing his part to help Jolanda Graham’s team, Kaelyn’s Kause, reach their sponsorship goal to participate in the American Heart Assn. Heart Walk Sept. 16 at the Irvine Spectrum.

Graham’s daughter Kaelyn Alexandria, 3, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart, including the aorta, aortic valve and mitral valve is underdeveloped.

Marcheano, who met Kaelyn and her family about a year ago, is asking the community to help support the Grahams.

Sponsors can make a donation to the American Heart Assn. for Kaelyn’s Kause, and either drop it by or mail it to The Arches restaurant, now at 508 29th St., Newport Beach.

“Kaelyn literally has been living with only half a heart,” Graham said, and after two surgeries to help correct the problem, she needs a third surgery her body may not be able to withstand due to other complications.

A heart transplant may be necessary in the future, but the family is hoping new advances in research and treatment will offer other options.

Kaelyn’s dad, Brandon Graham, is a major serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, the company adopted by the city of Newport Beach.

Jolanda Graham is asking for help in supporting the American Heart Assn. and “the work they do to allow research needed to secure Kaelyn’s future. Make a donation sponsoring me to walk at the AHA Heart Walk in September. Every dollar helps a personal and very worthy cause.”

For information, call The Arches at (949) 645-7077. To read Kaelyn’s story, go to www.caringbridge.org/ca/kaelyn.