Meet the Ruf Family
We created the Claire the Heart Warrior Foundation to honor our daughter, Claire, who was born with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and Heterotaxy. Claire fought courageously and passed away in 2023 at 14 months old. We would like to help other families that battle CHD to know that they do not fight alone!
Our Mission
The Claire the Heart Warrior Foundation was created to help other families facing the challenges of Congenital Heart Disease and Heterotaxy. Through education, advocacy, and financial support, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by these birth defects.
Your donation can help us continue to provide vital support and resources to families affected by Congenital Heart Disease and Heterotaxy. Click here to make a donation today.
Claire's Story
Claire was born in January 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Within seconds of being born, she was passed through a window into a ICU-type room where she was immediately intubated and prepared for transport to Primary Children’s cardiac ICU. Before Claire was born we found out that she had a condition called Heterotaxy – a condition where her internal organs were abnormally arranged in her chest and abdomen. Most significantly she had seven major heart defects. Instead of her heart having a left and right anatomy, it more closely resembled two right sides put together. At five hours old she had a stent placed in her heart that allowed her to to get sufficient blood flow to her lungs.
