10. A Cure for Cora: From HLHS Diagnosis to Delivering Hope with Community and Advocacy Artwork

Tiny Little Hearts Podcast

This podcast is about Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), complex medical journeys, parenting through uncertainty and the deep resilience of walking through big life changes.

Hosted by Katelyn McMahan, a mom to three girls whose life was changed in an instant when she found out her youngest daughter had complex cardiac abnormalities. She went searching to hear about kids with a similar diagnosis and wanted to see the life they were living. She didn’t want the curated, polished stories so she could prepare her heart for the good, bad and ugly.

This podcast does just that and highlights conversations from individuals, parents, medical providers, and others navigating the very real and overwhelming world of congenital heart defects and other medical complexities. You’ll hear honest conversations, practical advice and space to feel seen and understood.

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Tiny Little Hearts Podcast

10. A Cure for Cora: From HLHS Diagnosis to Delivering Hope with Community and Advocacy

September 15, 2025 • Katelyn McMahan • Season 1 • Episode 10

In this conversation, Katelyn McMahan speaks with Allison Millar, a fellow heart mom, about her daughter Cora's journey with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Cora is now three and a half, and has undergone two surgeries. Allison and Katelyn discuss the challenges of navigating interstage care, the emotional weight of a prenatal diagnosis, and the importance of community support. Allison and her husband had to plan to deliver and relocate to a different state for Cora’s surgical care, and Allison shares the process of navigating those decisions, until she went into early term labor and the decision was made for her. Allison shares her family's advocacy efforts, including fundraising events to support other families affected by congenital heart disease and the significance of raising awareness for research and better outcomes. She shares about the annual bike ride her family started, along with the development of A Cure For Cora, to impact the advocacy and awareness efforts. Katelyn and Allison talk about how connection with other heart families can provide comfort and understanding, as it is often a very lonely journey at first. Every small win in a child’s health journey is significant, and the power of community support is invaluable.