Community rallies after Homewood teen’s heart diagnosis with music, storytelling benefit, tell me about this news in (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/26/pediatric-cardiomyopathy-benefit/)

The community of Homewood is rallying together following a health diagnosis involving a local teen. Patti DeBoer, a longtime teacher in the area, organized a benefit event to support research and raise awareness after her 15-year-old son, Jaxson, was diagnosed with pediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)a rare and potentially dangerous heart conditionfollowing an incidental finding during a routine physical exam.

To turn their experience into positive action, the family organized a benefit featuring live music from local musicians and professional storytellers to raise funds for the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF). The event highlights the importance of early detection and cardiovascular health monitoring in youth, as conditions like HCM can often go unnoticed until serious symptoms or cardiac emergencies occur.