The Fontan Outcomes Network is a community of patients, family members, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and supporters, dedicated to improving the quality of life and health outcomes for individuals with single ventricle circulation.

Each month, we feature a member of the community who exhibits heroic qualities in service of this mission as our #HeartHero.

*Judy Fabiniak (center) and her two daughters*

Name: Judy Fabiniak, parent of two children who had the Fontan procedure more than 30 years ago

Nominated By: Wendy Lane, her daughter

About Judy

Judy Fabiniak is a parent to two children, born three years apart, who have had Fontan procedures. The family lived in New York and in the 1970s there was no internet and no easy way to find information. Judy researched and found a way to get her two children to have the surgeries at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

Reason for Nomination

Judy’s daughter Wendy had this to say when nominating her mother: “She was with both of us, advocating for us each and every day. She has continued to stay involved in the Fontan community. She is now 75 and still has been 100 percent present in the care for both her girls. She has taken on the burden of being 100 percent present physically and emotionally to help her girls survive and thrive with their congenital heart defects. Her daughters couldn’t have asked for a better support and advocate. She is an unsung hero and I want for her to hear and know that she is a heart hero. She is a shining star and I’m proud to call her mom. “

“I want to honor the many mothers I have known personally and through social media who have been amazing heroes for their children. It’s what we do.”

— Judy Fabiniak

Judy’s Response

When asked about her nomination, Judy was slightly delayed in her response, eventually stating, “I think it is mostly because I think of my girls as heart heroes, and I had to think deeply about the concept of myself as a hero.”

“It is incredibly kind of my daughters to honor what I have done on their behalf. In turn, I need to express my absolute admiration for them, and what they have gone through. They are awesome! I am not sure I could have done what they have done. As well, I want to honor the many mothers I have known personally and through social media who have been amazing heroes for their children. It's what we do.”

“We will all benefit from the information gained by FON. In my experience, and that of many others, finding support for and understanding of congenital heart disease is incredibly hard, especially in emergency situations. And sometimes the lack of knowledge leads to sadness. Many of us moms have had narrow escapes, and we have had to be unbelievably persistent to find someone who gets it. The more we and others know about what our "kids" need, and what works best, and where we can find it, the better the outcomes will be."

Want to nominate your #HeartHero? Whether it’s a nurse, a patient, a physician, family member, or other, we encourage you to nominate your #HeartHero for the spotlight here.