Ellen Boyer is the founder and president of the Brett Boyer Foundation. After losing her first born to congenital heart disease at seven months old, Ellen and her husband Bo decided to be part of hope and the solution for the millions of families living with CHD. Brett also was blessed to have Down syndrome so celebrating that part of her is always high on the foundation’s list of priorities. Seven years after losing Brett and starting the foundation, they have grown to fund over 3 million dollars in congenital heart disease research, support families and staff while inpatient, fund mental health services and research for patients and families with CHD, and support inclusion and celebration of the Down syndrome community. Ellen and Bo have 2 other children at home, Brett’s baby brother and sister- Wells and Lottie.

Ellen, Bo, and the Brett Boyer Foundation have been generous partners to Best Buddies through events and programs in Tennessee since 2018. The foundation also proudly features Best Buddies on their website as a resource to the families they serve. Ellen’s personal mission is for all to know that she did not lose Brett because of her having Down syndrome, we lost her to congenital heart disease. CHD needs a cure, Down syndrome does not need a cure, it IS a cure.