Why might a father get a tattoo to resemble his daughter's open-heart surgery chest scar? How could getting a tattoo like that change his life? What does being an advocate for the CHD community mean to Matt Backe?

Matt Backe is married to his wife Laura and together they have a 10-year-old son Jack and a 4-year-old daughter named Everly, who was born with a critical heart defect. Matt went viral on the internet after having a scar tattoo on his chest to match Everly's so she wouldn't feel alone. His wife Lauren followed suit the same day, getting an EKG tattoo on her left arm. Their unique tattoos help them to raise awareness of CHD and remind other families that they are not alone. The Backes live in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where Matt is a commercial insurance salesperson and Lauren stays home to take care of the family's needs. Everly attends preschool and loves to dance. They recently celebrated her's half birthday with a trip to Disney on Ice.

In this episode of "Heart to Heart with Anna," Matt shares with Anna why he got a tattoo of a scar on his chest, how a video of that went viral, and what it means to be a Heart Dad and a Heart Ambassador.

Related links:

Today.com article: https://www.today.com/health/health/dad-tattoo-daughter-heart-surgery-scar-rcna17321

NBC Chicago Article: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/crystal-lake-dad-gets-tattoo-of-daughters-open-heart-surgery-zipper-scar/2746095/

Matt’s Twitter is @youngestoffive2

Matt’s LinkedIn is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-backe-cic-6ab989a/

Matt’s wife (Lauren) is a board member of CHD NFP LJs Healing Hearts (www.ljshealinghearts.com), a member of the Advocate Children’s Family Advisory Council, an advocate of Ronald McDonald House Charity NW Indiana & Chicagoland as well as many other CHD-related not-for-profit organizations and foundations.

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