Bret Baier Shares Story of Son Paul's "Special Heart"

Bret Baier and his son Paul signed Bret's new book, Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage, and Love, at a special event at Politics & Prose in Washington, DC, on July 17. The book tells the story of Paul's successful battle with congenital heart disease. "It is my hope that by sharing my family's experiences through my brave son Paul's story, we can help others overcome adversity in their own lives," Bret said.

Twelve days after he was born, Paul had open-heart surgery at Children’s National. The five-hour procedure was "one of the top five most difficult surgeries I've ever done,” said Richard Jonas, MD, chief of cardiovascular surgery and co-director of the Children's National Heart Institute. But the surgery was a success, and now the 7-year-old is happy and active.

He has had two additional open-heart operations and seven catheterization procedures. In September 2013, just 17 days after his most recent surgery, Paul and his kindergarten classmates participated in the first annual Race for Every Child 5K to raise money for Children’s National. He and his family will be crossing the finish line again this year.

Bret, his wife Amy, and their sons Paul and Daniel, have become important members of the Children's National family. Bret and Amy serve on the Children's Hospital Foundation Board, co-chaired the record-breaking 2014 Children's Ball, and have shared their story with many others to illustrate the impact of our physicians and researchers. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit research into congenital heart disease. In recognition of Amy and Bret’s leadership and generosity as parents, board members, donors, and advocates for children, Children’s National awarded the couple with the inaugural Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Prize in Philanthropy in January 2014. View photos from the event. Read about the book and purchase your copy at www.specialheartfamily.com.