Our Story

The story of our organization, An Offering of the Heart, is one of profound love, extraordinary courage, and unwavering faith, inspired by the brief but monumental life of Alana Corazon Bernal.

A Life of Courage and Resilience

Born on June 11, 2018, Alana entered this world facing battles few could imagine. Diagnosed in the womb with pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum, a critical congenital heart defect, her life demanded immediate courage, resilience, and hope. Before Alana even took her first breath, her parents, Carlos and Maria Bernal, sacrificed the life they knew in Hawaii, relocating to Washington to ensure she had access to the best possible care at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Alana's name was profoundly prophetic: "Alana," in Hawaiian, means "offering," and "Corazon," in Spanish, means "heart." Her life was a living testament to the meaning behind her name, an offering of the heart.

An Emblem of Indomitable Spirit

For six and a half remarkable years, Alana faced relentless medical challenges, numerous heart surgeries, a tracheostomy, ventilator support, feeding tubes, countless medications, and ultimately, a life-saving heart transplant. Yet through every struggle, Alana radiated unwavering joy, laughter, and profound peace. Her resilience astounded seasoned medical professionals, and her simple reassurance, “I’m okay,” became an emblem of her indomitable spirit.

Her passing on December 18, 2024, embraced by her parents and bathed in prayer, marked not an end but the birth of a legacy.

The Birth of a Legacy

Our organization, An Offering of the Heart, was founded to honor Alana’s memory through meaningful action. Our mission is to provide charitable support for funeral and mortuary cost assistance and emotional support for parents grieving the loss of their child.

An Endowment for Cardiac Intensive Care

Additionally, to perpetuate Alana’s legacy, Seattle Children's Hospital has established the "An Offering from Alana Corazon Bernal Endowment for Cardiac Intensive Care." Initiated by Carlos and Maria Bernal with seed funding from the Oki Legacy Challenge and further contributions from the Bernal’s, this endowment supports the cardiac intensive care program. It becomes operative upon reaching a minimum funding threshold of $50,000, with provisions for additional contributions earmarked specifically for this purpose. Contributions are managed according to the policies of Seattle Children’s Healthcare System, ensuring that Alana’s legacy continues to support life-saving care.

A Message of Hope and Enduring Faith

Alana’s life taught us that grief and glory can coexist, that joy is not the absence of pain but the powerful presence of God within our trials. Through An Offering of the Heart, her heartbeat continues, echoing a legacy of love, hope, and enduring faith, ensuring that her profound offering of the heart forever inspires, heals, and transforms lives.

Alana Corazon Bernal's life story is one that continues to touch the hearts of many, and her legacy remains a source of inspiration and solace for those walking a similar path.

An Offering of the Heart Logo Meaning

1. The Angelic Child

Symbol of innocence, purity, and eternal love.

The young girl, depicted with grace and gentleness, represents a child lost too soon. Yet whose spirit lives on through love. Her presence is that of a guardian’s; nothing short of soft, watchful, and timeless. She is the heart of the foundation, a reflection of every child remembered, cherished, and honored.

2. The Bow in Her Hair

A whisper of tenderness and the beauty of memory.

The soft bow gently tied into her hair is a quiet gesture of care. A nod to the loving details that only a parent or family member would remember. It speaks to the small things that mean everything.

3. The Wings

Freedom from suffering, ascension into peace.

The angel wings cradle the child in divine protection, symbolizing the passage from earthly pain to heavenly serenity. They remind us that though the body departs, the soul takes flight.

4. The Heart in Her Hands

The gift of love, still glowing.

She offers her heart, not as a farewell, but as a radiant, lasting gift. It’s the purest form of giving: love without condition. The rays surrounding it echo its warmth, resilience, and power to heal even the deepest grief.

5. The Dove

Messenger of peace, guide of spirit.

The dove, poised in motion, carries the prayers of the brokenhearted and delivers peace in return. It is a spiritual companion, gentle and ever near, reminding us that we are not alone.

6. The Green Leaves

Renewal, legacy, and continued life.

Emerging from the base, the vibrant leaves symbolize the growth that springs from loss. They honor how these children’s lives continue to bear fruit, through acts of love, remembrance, and support for others.

7. The Circle Frame

Eternity, unity, and sacred protection.

Encircling the image, the frame binds all elements together; love, loss, healing, and hope in one sacred whole. It reflects the circle of life and the eternal connection between parent and child, even beyond this world.

8. The Colors

Soft pink and warm beige; tender, human, divine.

The palette is gentle but profound. Pink evokes affection, compassion, and the sweetness of a child’s spirit. Beige grounds the image in warmth and humility, suggesting safety, home, and the hands that hold you when you grieve.

9. The Words “An Offering of the Heart”

An invocation of selfless love.

The name itself is a prayer. It speaks to the beauty of giving not from excess, but from pain turned into purpose. It is not a donation; it is an act of reverence.

This logo isn’t just a symbol; it’s a living tribute. Every curve, every shade, every gesture is a testament to love that endures loss and chooses to give in honor of the heart that was once held.