Sam Holden

Sam HoldenIn September 1998, 9 year old Sam Holden went to Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles to take part in a camp for children with heart disease.

"Hi, my name is Sam. As you have probably heard five New Zealand (Wellington) heart kids went to America for 11 days to a five day camp on Catalina Island. At the camp we did rock climbing, swimming (all water games), tramps, skits, songs, games, card making and about 1000 other things. To fill in the other 4 to 5 days we went to theme parks. It was really fun doing sports with other heart kids and exciting.

from Sam Holden.

P.S. It was heaps of fun!

Sam and his family have lived with heart disease since he was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries and other complications at three days old. Earlier this year Sam went back to Green Lane Hospital and had three operations in three days; now he's riding his bike and playing sports with his friends.

Sam's trip was funded by the Wellington Heart Children support group and fundraising at Sam's school, Plimmerton School, where his classmates made a coin trail in the shape of a heart.