Former NFL star Greg Olsen marks $1 million donated to MUSC Children’s Hospital

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The HEARTest Yard Foundation, founded by former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, is celebrating more than $1 million raised for MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

The Olsen family started the foundation in 2013 after their son was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Since then, they have worked to raise money and awareness for children’s congenital heart disease.

“When you’re born with congenital heart disease, which is the most common birth defect that exists in humans, it doesn’t affect just the child. It affects the entire family around them,” said Andrew M. Atz, M.D., chairman of the Dr. Charles P. Darby Jr. Department of Pediatrics at MUSC.

Pediatric heart patients attended a check presentation Thursday afternoon, sharing gratitude for the foundation’s continued efforts.

“We are just thankful that people who are able to continue living normal lives outside of this, they remember that we are here, we are here fighting and advocating for our children. We are so graciously thankful for the donation that was made today, thankful that they didn’t forget about us,” said patient mother Dyketia Gregg.

Olsen tells News 4 that getting to meet and speak with the families and kids receiving care at MUSC inspires him to continue sharing support.

“We hear them, we see them, we know it’s difficult, but we are going to do everything in our power to make that journey just a little bit easier. After seeing our son was able to go through the amazing care that he got, how do we make sure that everyone could get that level of care, if not better, throughout the Carolinas,” Olsen said. “It really is a community that services these heart patients, and we are so proud that we’re able to make a small impact on improving their lives. It’s pretty incredible that we just continue to be able to meet families and meet people that really care so deeply about these heart babies.”