How we got started

While searching for scholarships and other programs available for heart transplant recipients, Chasidy Adams, founder of CFI, became frustrated.  She was surprised to learn that there were not many programs available for teens like her.  More importantly, she was upset to find out that she could only apply for scholarships.

Frustrated and confused Chasidy stated, “This is not fair Mom!!!  Anyone who has been through what I have been through deserves money in their hands.  Why does the money go to the school?  What if I need to buy a calculator for class, or school supplies, or what if I need gas money to get to and from school?”  Her Mom explained to her that scholarships were supposed to be forwarded to the school of enrollment in effort to assist with the associated cost of education.  Chasidy’s mom suggested that she start a foundation that would offer rewards to heart transplanted students to use at their leisure. 

Determined to make a difference, Chasidy did just that and began to research.  She wanted to start a foundation that would offer more than scholarships to transplanted teens who go the extra mile to live their dreams. She asked questions, researched foundations and began writing her ideas for the operations.  Realizing that her daughter was passionate about the foundation, her Mom started to assist with the research process. 

A few months later, the two learned that Chasidy’s donor heart was failing.  Their focus was then placed solely on Chasidy’s life.  After receiving the horrible diagnosis from the doctors, Chasidy could have easily given up.  Instead, she continued her education by graduating high school with honors and began college in the fall as originally planned.  Although Chasidy outlived the original diagnosis, her donor heart did eventually fail and she was no longer able to form the foundation in which she so dreamed to.  Today, Chasidy's mother, family and friends work hard to make certain that her dream is fulfilled by operating this successful foundation in her honor. 

Just as Chasidy dreamed, the Changin' Hearts will offer Hospital Outreach Programs for heart transplant families as well as Scholarship Rewards to heart transplanted students and Wishes to these students to use at their leisure.