On Wednesday, August 19th, 2015 Matteo Benjamin Cross came in to the world a healthy, beautiful baby boy. It was only three short weeks later that he stopped breathing in his mother, Kayla's, arms. After an aggressive fight to save his life, he passed away. It was later learned that he had suffered from congenial heart disease.

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Kayla Cross
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In an effort to raise awareness and give back to others who may be impacted by this disease Kayla's mother Mary began an organization called Little Hats, Big Hearts in Herkimer County. Through this organization Mary knits little red hats, with some assistance from Kayla's aunt Nancy, to send to hospitals all over New York State. With every hat they knit the memory of Matteo is alive and well. Mary Cross says,

I mailed out 100 hats to Kansas City Missouri, 150 hats to Syracuse and 220 hats to Albany. [The] Majority of the yarn was donated, so any efforts in more yarn donations, for next year, is greatly appreciated.

You can get more information on the Little Hats Big Hearts Facebook page. At the beginning of the year Kayla and her mom dropped off over 200 knit hats to St. Luke's of Mohawk Valley Health Systems for the newborn infants at the hospital. She does not plan to stop making these hats to keep people aware of this terrible disease and the memory of her little grandson alive. They also will be walking in the Annual America's Greatest Heart Run & Walk this year on Team Matteo. To donate to the team you can donate online or contact Kayla directly at 315-751-6706 or by email at krcross1@aol.com.


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