Becky and Greg Ortyl of St. Louis, MO welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Oakes Lee, to this world with open arms on March 10, 2011. Although Oakes was perfect in the eyes of those who loved him, he was born with a congenital heart defect. During his short 15 months of life, he endured several major procedures, including two open-heart surgeries and a double-lung transplant. Throughout Oakes’ life, even when times became tough, the Ortyls felt very blessed to have so many resources and such wide-ranging support from family and friends. But they know that many families in similar situations are not nearly as fortunate. It is for these families that the Ortyls founded The Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation. Our mission is to support families of children born with congenital heart defects financially, emotionally, and in ways unique to their needs. Our vision is families facing congenital heart defects have the freedom to be a family and have hope amidst the chaos. Our aim is not only to relieve financial burden – enabling them to be in the moment with their young warrior – but to listen, share, uplift and strengthen them as they march on.