Local mom honored for saving lives

Deborah Sipos, the 2004 California State Young Mother and the National Young Mother of the Year, was to have been honored by American Mothers, Inc. on Sat., May 14 at Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City for her tireless efforts to save the lives of children. Along with her husband, Neil, and Brenda and Craig Small, she co-founded Cardiac Kids Have HEART (CKHH), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to Helping Educate, Assist, Research and Treat (HEART) children with congenital heart disease whether they live around the corner or around the world.

Since its inaugural charity event in March, CKHH has helped sponsor two children from Ecuador for open heart surgeries. The hearts of these children, a 7-month-old baby girl and a 9-year-old boy, have both been successfully repaired and were to have been going home to their families for Mother’s Day. As a result of Sipos’ role as co-president of CKHH, four more children are scheduled to travel to the U.S. for medical care. Sipos has also been instrumental in facilitating grants through CKHH that provide automated external defibrillators to local schools.

After her third son, Jacob, was born with severe congenital heart disease and underwent four heart surgeries before age 5, Sipos became active in helping other families cope with this disease. Cardiac Kids Have HEART has helped 10 underprivileged children receive lifesaving corrective cardiac surgeries. Sipos is also an active volunteer at Ride-On Therapeutic Equestrian Center, an organization that provides equestrian experiences for children and adults with varying health issues and disabilities.

Sipos is the mother of five sons, ranging in age from 4 to 14. She’s a resident of Thousand Oaks,where she’s active in the PFC and volunteers each week as the music specialist at Acacia Elementary School, sharing her knowledge, talent and love of music.