Chicagoland Cardiac Connections is the area’s first organization for children and young adults with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Our mission is to help connect these patients and their families to others like them. CCC was founded by patients, families, and providers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Our all-volunteer organization hosts an annual event to provide valuable resources and bring this community together.
If you have or might receive a pacemaker or ICD someday, join us!
All time and materials are donated or are supported by tax-deductible donations and fundraising events.
Patrick Kelly
In 2013, Patrick was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, a rare genetic heart condition, and received an ICD. As a volunteer, Patrick focuses on supporting young individuals who navigate life with implanted devices by sharing his own first-hand experience with an ICD. Through his contributions, Patrick aims to help young people understand they are not alone and offer insights and encouragement. Outside of volunteering, Patrick is a business owner specializing in digital marketing and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two sons.
Kerry Lazewski
Kerry has been a Nurse Practitioner in Cardiology at Lurie for over 20 years. The team that she has the pleasure of being a part of now cares for her son, who has a pacemaker. Experiencing both sides of medical care at Lurie, as a provider and a parent, has instilled confidence in Kerry that her son is receiving the best cardiology care, which provides her with much comfort and inspires her even more to provide the same to others.
Maxwell Koth
Maxwell is a young adult with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). He was born with a host of irregularities, including Double Outlet Right Ventricle, Transposition of the Great Arteries, ASD, VSD, Pulmonary Stenosis, & Tachycardia. Maxwell has been a part of CCC since 2013 and continues to be an active member of the community. He received his ICD at the age of eleven. He hopes to advocate for families and patients to live a fulfilling and normal life while being educated about their health and treatment.
Carol Raimondi
Carol is an adult congenital heart patient living with a defibrillator and a ventricular assist device. She has volunteered for multiple CHD organizations and has a background in nursing. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and daughter.
Jaclyn Reider
Jaclyn is a pediatric electrophysiology nurse practitioner at Lurie Children’s hospital. She is a certified cardiac device specialist and cares for patients with implantable cardiac devices and heart rhythm disorders. In addition to her role with the EP team, she is the Illinois Project ADAM program coordinator and works with schools in the community to become Heart Safe Designated. During her free time, Jaclyn enjoys cooking, Peloton workouts, gardening, and being with her husband and two girls at their lake house in Wisconsin.
Margie Swain
Margie is a wife, mother of 4, and physical therapist at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Her youngest son, Luke, was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Noonan’s Syndrome during his lengthy NICU stay. Luke had a myectomy procedure and pacemaker placement in 2018. He lives life to the fullest, with his big heart and smile that lights up any room. Margie is passionate about advocating for Luke and other medically complex patients. She is grateful for the support Luke and her family have received through the Chicagoland Cardiac Connections community and hopes to provide support to other families.
Dr. Greg Webster
Dr. Webster is the section chief of electrophysiology at Lurie Children’s Hospital. He is involved in clinical care for children and young adults with heart rhythm problems, and he leads a clinical research group whose goal is to prolong and improve the lives of families with heart rhythm disease. Additional information can be found on his research website at Home: Webster Cardiac Genetics Group: Feinberg School of Medicine (northwestern.edu).
Jennifer Weiner
Jennifer is an adult with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). She received a pacemaker at 32 years old; two years later it was replaced with an ICD/Pacer combo. Attending the first CCC event helped Jennifer feel comfortable with receiving her first device. She then decided to get involved, Jennifer wanted to help others the way CCC had helped her. Along with volunteering, Jennifer loves to paint, travel, and spend time with her nephews.
Ella Buchanan
Ella is a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, a Molecular and Cellular Biology major on the pre-med track. She was born with congenital heart defects and has been a patient at Lurie’s since birth. At just a few months old, Ella had her first pacemaker implanted. She has been attending the Chicagoland Cardiac Connections events since the first year and is excited to now be involved in the planning!
Izma Casubhoy
Izma first started volunteering with CCC in 2020, as part of a volunteer program through her high school. Izma enjoyed her experience with the organization so much she decided to continue on after graduation. She is now a sophomore at Saint Louis University and is excited for Heart-to-Heart Day to resume in person!