Charles Omenihu, defensive end for 2024 Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, epitomizes resilience. Over his five-year NFL career, Omenihu has amassed an impressive 92 tackles and 18.5 sacks, contributing significantly to the Chiefs' journey to the Super Bowl. However, amidst his achievements on the field, Omenihu draws inspiration from his childhood best friend Newton "Newt" Ananti, who displayed unparalleled toughness as a heart warrior battling a congenital heart defect. Tragically, Newt passed away at the tender age of 19, leaving a lasting impact on Omenihu's perception of true strength.
Newt's story highlights the challenges faced by the nearly 40,000 babies born in the U.S. each year with congenital heart defects, or CHDs – America’s most common birth defect. These conditions vary in severity, with babies often requiring urgent medical intervention within the first year of life to survive. However, organizations like The Children's Heart Foundation offer hope through their dedication to funding research and advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs.
Since its inception in 1996, The Children's Heart Foundation has been instrumental in improving survival rates and enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by CHDs. Yet, with an estimated 2-3 million people currently living with CHDs in the U.S., ongoing support is crucial to drive further progress. Your donation to The Children's Heart Foundation can make a profound difference, ensuring that more children, like Newt, have the opportunity to thrive.
“My biggest thing to the Ananti family was to always keep his name alive and for people to never forget about Newton, because he was such a big part of our lives and of the Dallas community," said Omenihu, "I always told Newt that I was going to try to do something to put his name out there, and that's what I am trying to do with this.”
Join us in honoring Newt's memory and supporting those affected by CHDs by contributing today. Together, we can continue making strides in the fight against congenital heart defects. To learn more or make a donation, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/charlesomenihu/.
