Who We Are
Who We Are
We build, test, and deliver new therapies to cure congenital heart defects, allowing families to live full, enriching lives.
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Our Story Our People Partnerships News/Blog
Our Work
Our Work
HeartWorks builds, tests, and delivers new therapies to cure congenital heart defects giving these families the opportunity to live full, enriching lives.
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We Build Hearts Lab Tours Stories The Co-op at HeartWorks
For Families
For Families
Families are the heart of HeartWorks. We work for the 1 in 100 impacted by congenital heart defects.
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Lab Tours One Heart by HeartWorks Family Team Pages The Co-op at HeartWorks
Get Involved
Get Involved
HeartWorks relies on our community to help fund the research and clinical trials that hope to find cures for congenital heart defects (CHD). Discover ways that you can help.
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Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials
HeartWorks is leading the world’s largest effort to develop new treatment options for CHD patients.
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The Co-op
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Smiling baby wearing a blue onesie with a HeartWorks logo.

HeartWorks accelerates the best ideas to cure CHD for the 1 in 100 born with it and the 2.4 million living with it.

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Inspired By Families

All Stories

Making More Memories

Our work is more than just medical innovation; it’s about making a meaningful difference in the heart community.

By advancing cutting-edge treatments and providing vital support, HeartWorks helps create lasting memories and enhance the quality of life for those affected by congenital heart defects.

  • "Faith, Advocacy, and Hope: David’s HLHS Journey"

    “Faith doesn’t remove fear. It changes how you live with it.”

    Read Full Story
  • Gaston Family

    "The Gaston Family: A New Chapter in Their Congenital Heart Disease Journey"

    "Each day, we’re reminded that love, support, and innovation pave the way for a healthier future."

    Read Full Story

  • "A Beautiful Soul, Remembering Xavier Thomas Ross"

    We will honor Xavier Thoms Ross, and all angels, by holding their stories in our hearts and carrying this work forward every day

    Read Full Story

  • "Gabriel’s Brave Journey and a Mother’s Love"

    Lauren is passionate about sharing her message of hope and resilience and proud to show off her scars. She strives to live life to the fullest despite the challenges and to inspire others with her positive outlook

    Read Full Story
  • A couple posing near water

    "Lauren Bednarz: A Hopeful Heart"

    Lauren is passionate about sharing her message of hope and resilience and proud to show off her scars. She strives to live life to the fullest despite the challenges and to inspire others with her positive outlook

    Read Full Story
  • Tolar Family Portrait by tree

    "The Tolar Family"

    The Tolar Family believes HeartWorks is making an impact on the CHD community and actively seeking improvements.

    Read Full Story
  • heart warrior with HLHS, Charlie

    "Charlie’s Champs"

    Since Charlie’s birth, they have actively participated in the heart community, inspiring others to raise their voices and foster understanding that we are all in this together.

    Read Full Story

  • "Briahnna’s Heart Journey"

    A Year of Strength: Briahnna's Unwavering Battle with Heart Challenges

    Read Full Story
  • Adult with congenital heart defect posing on top of mountain

    "Janee’s Heart Journey"

    Overcoming Ebstein's Anomaly: A Journey of Resilience and Medical Breakthroughs

    Read Full Story

  • "Rockford’s Heart Journey"

    Rockford's Journey of Hope and Healing

    Read Full Story

  • "Lauren’s Heart Journey"

    Living with Half a Heart: Lauren’s Journey of Resilience, Advocacy, and Joy

    Read Full Story
  • A young child with congenital heart disease.

    "Cora’s Heart Journey"

    Cora's Courageous Journey: Overcoming Complex Heart Surgeries

    Read Full Story

  • "Luke’s Heart Journey"

    Luke's Journey: From Heart Surgery at 4 Months to a Thriving, Energetic Life on the Farm

    Read Full Story

  • "Frankie’s Heart Journey"

    Inspiring Resilience: Frankie's Journey with HLHS

    Read Full Story

  • "Meagan’s Heart Journey"

    Meagan's Journey: Overcoming HLHS and Embracing a Fulfilling Life

    Read Full Story

  • "Vivien’s Heart Journey"

    From a Complex Diagnosis in Germany to a Full Life Near Barcelona

    Read Full Story

  • "He loves to make us laugh."

    My very favorite thing about Griffin is how silly he is.

    Read Full Story

  • "It was a bittersweet day and such a huge milestone."

    One of our favorite memories this year was her first day of kindergarten!

    Read Full Story

  • "His giant blue eyes got even bigger somehow."

    One of my favorite memories with Levi was the very first time they put him in his tumble form chair.

    Read Full Story
  • marshyl

    "Marshyl is all boy and loves anything and everything that involves dirt, cars, trucks, and tractors."

    One of my favorite memories was when we got Marshyl his gator for his birthday.

    Read Full Story

  • "Abby was given a terrific boost of confidence from her classmates."

    My favorite memory of Abby after heart surgery was watching her mall walk for exercise one week after surgery.

    Read Full Story

  • "Her smile can light up a room and her laughter is contagious."

    Read Full Story

  • "This non-profit is the only way I know how to make a difference."

    Evit’s heart defect is considered one of 
the most severe. but he’s here fighting.

  • "This community is stronger together, always remember you can do hard things!"

    This community is stronger together [and we] can do hard things!

HeartWorks | We Build Hearts

At HeartWorks, we develop therapies that use a person’s cells to enhance their existing heart muscle or grow new beating heart muscle.

HeartWorks has designed a first-of-its-kind platform that brings together physicians, scientists, and engineers to find and develop treatments for the most severe forms of CHD. Therefore, advancing the research in genetics, stem cell biology, clinical trials, and cell-based manufacturing

Our Work
The manufacturing team at HeartWorks posing in the research lab.

Pioneering Approach

HeartWorks has the brightest minds building hearts to cure CHD. We operate independently and work collaboratively allowing us to move the best ideas forward efficiently and effectively.

The HeartWorks Team of Teams is driven by the urgent needs of CHD families and is relentlessly pursuing transformative outcomes. We’re undaunted by challenges, dedicated to creating a self-reliant ecosystem, and united by our shared mission to conquer congenital heart defects.

Who We Are

The HeartWorks Story

HeartWorks began with a family determined to change what was possible for people born with congenital heart disease.

Inspired by their daughter Gabrielle’s journey with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), Todd and Karen Wanek made a bold commitment to advancing new solutions for CHD. In 2010, they began investing in groundbreaking research focused on regenerative medicine and the potential to repair and rebuild the heart.

Over the next decade, that work helped establish the scientific foundation, technology, and expertise needed to move beyond discovery and toward treatments for patients.

In 2020, HeartWorks was created to take that vision further – bringing scientists, physicians, engineers, manufacturing experts, and families together with one singular focus: changing the future of congenital heart disease.

What began with one family asking what more could be done has grown into an organization building new possibilities for the 1 in 100 born with CHD.

Meet with our CEO
Our Impact

HeartWorks is the only clinical platform accelerating the best ideas to cure CHD.

3,500
Donors
11
Institutions
71
on-site core team members
2,700
Research Patients
9
Family Board Members
28
PhD Research Collaborators
HeartWorks developed contracting heart muscle

Clinical Trials and The Co-op at HeartWorks

Our therapies utilize a person’s own cells to strengthen their existing heart muscle or generate new beating heart tissue.

For instance, our manufacturing team is actively processing skin samples and converting them into beating cardiac cells for future therapeutic applications.

Explore our clinical trials and contribute to the development of new ones by becoming a member of The Co-op at HeartWorks.

Clinical Trials

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