We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie McDaniel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own foundation?
After losing our son, Graeme, I needed an outlet. I needed something to keep my mind busy, but all I could focus on was him and my heartbreak. I was so fearful his memory would fade. A few friends mentioned the idea of starting a 5k to continue to share him. I jumped all in. I received such encouragement and love from our beautiful community, while sharing his story and face. This also gave me the opportunity to slowly turn the pain I felt into pride from the work that was coming from his name. Our annual fundraising event, Graeme’s Run, was created. We fundraise for congenital heart defect (CHD) research. 1 in 110 babies are born with a heart defect. That is a lot of babies. I was completely clueless about congenital heart defects before Graeme. I had never heard the term CHD prior to waking up from an emergency c-section with a doctor sketching the anatomy of a heart at my bedside.

After fundraising for CHD research for about 7 years for national organizations, I was ready to start a foundation in Graeme’s name, The Graeme McDaniel Foundation. We will be funding research locally at our major heart centers. We will be able to meet with the teams and decide which projects receive support from money donated in Graeme’s name. We are excited about being more connected to the projects and look forward to providing updates on research results and future impacts to heart warriors everywhere. While we are heavily research focused, another place we would like to use your donations is to support heart families while they are in the hospital receiving care. We know firsthand how stressful and scary it is to be away from your home and your other children to support a baby that is fighting for his life. A small act of kindness from a stranger lets you know that you aren’t alone, the world is a good place, and there are people out there who care. By starting the Foundation, we will be able to make sure administrative costs are as low as possible so that we can put more dollars toward funding research and helping those heart families.

What should our readers know about your foundation?
The Graeme McDaniel Foundation was formed on September 15, 2021. That is a day I will never forget. Starting a foundation was never something that I had on my radar. I have a finance background, something I used as an auditor and at and oil & gas company, but nonetheless, I understood enough about business to where I felt comfortable forming a 501(c)(3) and doing it well. After fundraising so long for CHD research, I finally understood the importance of not being the middle man. I didn’t want to fundraise for these other wonderful foundations. I wanted flexibility. I wanted to meet the researchers. I wanted to hear research updates and outcomes. I wanted to meet the families we were supporting along their journey. I want to ensure every single penny went to the place I promised it was going. And in the end, I want to share every word of that with my donors. As a donor myself, that’s what I want. I want to make my son’s name and legacy a strong beautiful one. He deserves that, and as his mom, I want to give it to him.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was coming in town to hang out, and I had to show her the best time in the city, she would probably be pretty disappointed, haha! Luckily since she is my best friend, she would probably know what to expect when she booked her trip to visit. We would start by picking up a Summer Moon latte, find a yoga or Pilates class and stop at Bagel Cafe for lunch (and bagel chips to-go). Whether she knew it or not she would most likely join in on one of my son’s baseball tournaments. After the tournament we would stop by Willy Burger for an El Guapo and finish the evening at No Label Brewery with a Steady As She Gose. We would DEFINITELY break out the board games with Robby and the kids. Acquire, Monopoly, Uno, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and Taco vs. Burrito, just to name a few. Before she left town, I would make sure we were able to see an Astro’s game and enjoyed a meal or two at Los Cuco’s. Now I want to invite my best friend to town!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am grateful for my husband, Robby. Without his encouragement and support, I would have never been able to share Graeme this way. I have spent many hours putting my heart into making everything with his name attached to it, just as I want to share him. Our annual Graeme’s Run, a very family friendly 5k and 1 mile walk, is my way of getting to celebrate Graeme with our community while doing positive work in his name. Robby celebrates with me and feels my heartbreak on a daily basis. We were told the statistic of how difficult losing a child is on a marriage. I am grateful for how well he loves and leads me to joy. He was the best dad to Graeme, and that is something that I will find comfort in for the rest of my days.

Website: graememcdanielfoundation.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graememcdanielfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graememcdanielfoundation

Other: info@graememcdanielfoundation.org

Image Credits
Graeme’s Run Photos: Haven Photography & Design and Mama Bear Photography

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