A Child’s Heartbeat Lives on in Song [LISTEN]

Until the day that I draw my last breath, I will carry with me the memory of hearing my son's heartbeat for the very first time. I was about seven weeks pregnant when I heard the most beautiful swishing sound during my ultrasound and it was in that moment that everything really sunk in. That was the sound of life. That was the sound of my child's heartbeat, and in that moment, I vowed that I would fight to the death for my baby.

Someone told me once when I was pregnant that my son and I shared a bond that only a mother and her child can ever share and that is that my son is the only person who knows what my heartbeat sounds like from both inside and outside my body. It really is incredible when you think about it.

There's something special about the sound of a heartbeat. It's comforting to hear that "blup dub blup dub" because the sound signifies life.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is in the business of saving lives. As a matter of fact, treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is changing the way that the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. As a matter of fact, St. Jude freely shares medical discoveries so that others might also have a chance at living.

However, sometimes life is cruel and precious lives are snuffed out by cancer and illness and in that moment, a child's heartbeat might stop resonating from within their body, but at St. Jude, their heartbeat is able to live on in song for their parents long after their soul has left this earth.

This is how St. Jude Children's Research Hospital preserves the heartbeat of an angel who has earned their wings:

Would you like to help kids and their families under the care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital? As a Partner In Hope, you’ll be joining a special community of monthly donors who’ve pledged to help save kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. When you become a Partner in Hope, your monthly donation makes sure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude. And the best part? It's easy to give on your terms each month. Join the movement now by calling 1-800-372-4999 or text the word HAWK to 7-8-5-8-3-3. You can also make an online donation here.