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Start each day with a grateful heart
About us
James Doss Memorial Foundation was founded in 2022 by Carlee and Randy Doss in honor of their son, James. In 2018, James was born with a Congenital Heart Defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). He spent six precious weeks with his family in the Cardiac ICU at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital before he passed away.
In the years since, Carlee and Randy have poured their hearts into connecting with other CHD families—especially those navigating the unimaginable loss of a child. What began as personal outreach grew into a nonprofit committed to easing the burdens these families face, offering care packages, financial assistance, and a lasting community of support.
At JDMF, we believe in creating a “circle” around the CHD community—a place where everyone belongs, no matter where they are on the journey. For many families, there’s a painful drop-off of connection and support when a child passes away, leaving them unsure where they fit. We exist to be that place, ensuring no family ever feels alone or forgotten.
“The terrible truth is that CHD is the #1 cause of birth defect-related deaths. We cannot stop this from happening, but we can offer a small beacon of hope to families in need. After we lost James, the support from our friends and family encouraged us to start helping others. This act of giving is where we find peace, and I know James would be proud of that.” – Carlee Doss, President
Through events, partnerships, and the generosity of donors, James Doss Memorial Foundation honors James’ life by serving CHD families with love, compassion, and hope—always making sure there is a place for everyone in our circle.
Parent of a Warrior
Thank you for all that you do to help other families who unfortunately have to experience similar grief to what you have. Your foundation is such an amazing resource and the work you do is truly inspiring!
Mother of an Angel
We’re so thankful for everything the foundation does for families like ours. It truly meant so much to be part of it.
Parent of an Angel
This was our first CHD event after loss. It felt so special to be able to support the CHD community while also honoring our girl.
Our Mission
James Doss Memorial Foundation’s mission is to support and uplift families affected by CHD with a focus on those who have lost a child to Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). We provide compassionate assistance with funeral expenses and financial support toward creating meaningful memorials, helping to ease the financial burdens that come with loss so families can focus on honoring and remembering their children. We also create spaces of comfort and joy by hosting events and making donations to families who are in the hospital with their child.
Beyond immediate support, we are committed to advocating for and helping establish new end-of-life care initiatives within hospitals in our community. Our goal is to ensure every family facing their child’s final moments has access to a compassionate, private, and supportive environment.
We believe no family should ever feel alone on this journey. At JDMF, we work to create a lasting “circle” of care within the CHD community—a place where every family belongs, no matter where they are on their journey. Through open conversations, advocacy, and acts of love, we hope to empower families to remember their children with dignity and to find comfort, connection, and hope, especially in the midst of loss.
