Jennifer Lafler, R.N., truly understands the definition of self-sacrifice. A single mother of four beautiful children, she lives by the quote: “A mother’s love knows no boundaries.”
Among one daughter and three sons, her middle son, Bryce, was born with congestive heart failure. After being assessed by a team of physicians, Bryce was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and underwent his first open heart surgery at only seven days old. Throughout Bryce’s first year of life, he suffered from a weakened immune system and was under constant observation.
Years later, at a National Hot Rod Association race being held in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bryce was given the opportunity that changed Jennifer and her family’s lives forever. After ducking into a hospitality tent to give Bryce a chance to cool down, Jennifer and her son were asked if they would like to meet Tony Schumacher, seven-time NHRA champion. Little did Jennifer know that this chance meeting would jump-start the biggest project of her life.
During the holiday season in 2006, Bryce became ill once again. Doing all that she could for her son, Jennifer withdrew from nursing school to tend to Bryce and ensure that he was given the proper care. In an effort to give Bryce a memorable Christmas, Jennifer e-mailed Don Schumacher – Tony Schumacher’s father and racing coach – asking if they would be kind enough to send Bryce a racing “Hero Card.” Hours later, Bryce received a very special phone call.
Answering the phone, Bryce was asked by Tony Schumacher himself if he would like to be a guest at one of his races. Jennifer, seeing the excitement in her son’s eyes, had no choice but to say “Yes!” She quickly set out to raise the funds to allow her and Bryce to make the trip to Pomona, California to see Tony, who was quickly becoming Bryce’s personal hero.
After witnessing firsthand the difference the experience made in the life of her own son, Jennifer realized that the hospitality provided by Tony and Don Schumacher Racing could also benefit others like Bryce who suffer from similar heart defects. This idea spawned what Jennifer today calls “Team BraveHeart.”
The goal of “Team BraveHeart” is to provide opportunities for children and their parents who face illness due to congenital heart defects to come together at NHRA events. By surrounding them with this special companionship, the children feel as if they are a part of an exclusive club available to only those who have faced the same setbacks as they have.