‘I was born with half a functional heart’: Dead Cold Run returns to Saskatoon, supporting kids with heart health issues

(Carla Shynkaruk/CTV News)

Dozens of runners braved the cold in Saskatoon Sunday to make a difference in the lives of kids with heart conditions.

The Dead Cold Run could be one of the coldest running events around, helping kids dealing with serious heart conditions in the province.

About 100 participants endured the blustery conditions in support of The Mending Little Hearts Fund.

“Events like this are really essential to help us raise funds for children and to help families across the province who are dealing with heart disease,” pediatric cardiologist Dr. Charissa Pockett told CTV News.

According to Charissa one in 100 babies is born with a congenital heart defect in Saskatchewan. The hearty souls who took to the 21 km, 10 km, 5 km, or 1 km course are ultimately helping with frontline support.

“Specifically, funds will help pediatric cardiology purchase medical equipment that’s needed to support heart families and patients,” Anna Maton, one of the organizers, said.

Maton’s son was born with a hole in his heart, so she knows all too well the difference extra funds can make.

That holds true for Justin Pegg, who is now 31 years old and hopes to inspire others. When he was born, his future was uncertain.

“To put it simply, I was born with half a functional heart. I had three open-heart surgeries before I was three,” he said.

He is still managing his heart issues as an adult.

“When I was growing up, there were no events like this, and I think it would have been of extreme benefit to me if there was,” he added.

This was the first Dead Cold Run since before the pandemic – and it’s not for the faint of heart.

“It’s just kind of picking up traction again with all the different runs and events since Covid, so we’re excited to have it back,” Maton said.

Future generations will ultimately benefit from the work being done now, with the money being raised.

“Some of the funds also go towards some research that we do, looking into congenital heart disease. There’s lots of active research that happens within the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina,” Charissa said.

The Mending Little Hearts Fund also runs a summer camp for kids with heart issues, so they know they are not alone and can make connections with others facing similar health issues.

“Knowing the challenges that Saskatchewan families face when they have kids with complex heart conditions, and the support that the fund allows for, is important,” Maton said.

“The camp is an opportunity for families to come from all over the province to get together. Kids learn about hearts, about healthy living, and they get to network and meet one another – even families from really isolated communities,” Charissa said.

So far, this run has raised $1,200, but donations are still being accepted on their website to offer further support. And the beat will go on, with fundraising events planned to support little hearts all month.