Meet Belen Blanton

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Belen Blanton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Belen, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilience has been the driving force behind everything I do for children with congenital heart disease. As a CHD survivor myself, I know firsthand the challenges, fears, and uncertainties that come with this condition. But I also know the strength it can build within you. That strength is what I draw on every day to help children who are facing the same struggles I once did.

For me, resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about taking that survival and turning it into something bigger than myself. When I think about how Estrellita de Belén came to be—how it started from a moment of pain, when I couldn’t help a child in time—I realize that resilience isn’t just about what you endure, it’s about how you rise and use that experience to help others. That loss fueled my determination to ensure no other child goes without the care they need.

Helping children like Anthonella, who was born with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, reminds me every day why I keep pushing forward. Her journey from struggling with her condition to becoming a healthy, vibrant girl starting high school fills me with a sense of purpose. Stories like hers remind me that every hurdle I’ve faced has led me to this work—giving hope to families and children who need it most.

Through partnerships, fundraising, and raising awareness, I’m committed to using my own resilience to make a real difference. My team and I know the importance of what we do because we’ve seen the lives that have been transformed. Resilience isn’t just surviving; it’s fighting for others to thrive. That’s why I do what I do.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m the founder of Estrellita de Belén, a foundation dedicated to helping children with congenital heart disease (CHD) access the life-saving treatments they need. Our mission is simple but profound: to provide hope and care to children and families facing the same challenges I once did as a CHD survivor. What’s most exciting about our work is the direct impact we have on children’s lives. Each child we help represents a family that gains hope, and there’s nothing more special than seeing them grow up healthy and strong, like little Anthonella, who is now thriving after years of battling her condition.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of our work is building partnerships across the medical field, particularly with experts like Dr. Juan Leoni, who helps us stay at the forefront of heart care innovations. We’re also developing a new awareness campaign for the Hispanic community to promote education and understanding around CHD. This is especially important to me, as the majority of our staff and volunteers come from Hispanic backgrounds, and we see the need for more representation and advocacy in this space.

Something new and exciting for us this year was our third annual gala, which brought together incredible supporters and advocates. It was also an opportunity to showcase the launch of the book Mujeres Indetenibles, a collection of stories about influential women, where I had the honor of being featured. The book has been a bestseller on Amazon, and it’s a testament to the resilience and strength of women in leadership.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on expanding our services, building more alliances, and increasing awareness to ensure that no child is left behind in their fight against CHD. Whether it’s through fundraising events, advocacy, or our upcoming medical alliances, we’re committed to pushing forward and growing our reach, so every child gets the chance to live a full, healthy life.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey, there are three qualities that have had the biggest impact: resilience, empathy, and the ability to build connections. These have shaped not only the direction of my work but how I’ve been able to grow as a leader and advocate.

Resilience – This has been the core of everything for me. Living with and overcoming congenital heart disease taught me how to face obstacles head-on. Whether it’s personal challenges or setbacks in the foundation, resilience keeps me moving forward. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: embrace the setbacks. They will teach you more than success ever could. Build your resilience by viewing challenges as opportunities to grow rather than moments of defeat. Each step will prepare you for the next bigger challenge.

Empathy – Being able to truly understand and connect with the families and children we help has been invaluable. My own experience with CHD gave me a perspective that goes beyond just sympathy—it’s about putting myself in their shoes. To develop this, listen more than you speak. Try to understand the emotions behind people’s stories and be fully present when you’re interacting with them. Empathy allows you to build trust, and that trust is essential in any mission-driven work.

Building Connections – None of this would be possible without the incredible network of supporters, medical professionals, and volunteers I’ve met along the way. Knowing how to connect with people and nurture those relationships is key. If you’re starting out, focus on building genuine, meaningful connections rather than thinking of networking as a numbers game. Be intentional about how you build relationships, always looking for ways to give as much as you get.

For anyone starting their journey, my advice is simple: stay open to learning from every experience, be kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned, and lean on others when you need help. Resilience, empathy, and connection are muscles you’ll strengthen over time, and they will carry you through every stage of your path.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The number one challenge I’m facing right now is ensuring sustainable funding for our foundation. While we’ve had some incredible successes—like our annual gala and partnerships with key medical professionals—securing consistent financial support is always an ongoing struggle. This challenge is especially significant because the demand for life-saving treatments for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) continues to grow, and so do the costs.

To address this, we’re focusing on diversifying our funding sources. In addition to events like our gala, we’ve launched online fundraising initiatives for those who want to support but can’t attend in person. We’re also working on building more corporate partnerships, seeking long-term sponsorships with companies that align with our mission. Expanding our donor base is a priority, and we’ve been developing new campaigns aimed at increasing awareness in the broader community, particularly through our Hispanic CHD awareness initiative without forgetting our main focus in Venezuelan children.

We’re also improving transparency and impact reporting. By showing donors exactly how their contributions are making a difference in real children’s lives, we hope to foster deeper trust and encourage recurring support. Additionally, we’re working closely with our CPA, Jessica Martinez, to ensure that every dollar is maximized and that we’re operating as efficiently as possible.

Though this remains an uphill battle, I’m confident that by continuing to build relationships and demonstrate the life-changing impact of our work, we can overcome this challenge.

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Belen Blanton
Our Patients (photograph permissions)
What we do

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