Our Story
On January 24, 2023, Patrick Clancy’s world changed forever when his three beloved children—Cora, Dawson, and Callan—were lost amid their mother’s struggle with postpartum psychosis. In the earliest days of unimaginable grief, Pat made a promise: that their lives would always be remembered, and that he would work to ensure no other family endures the same heartbreak. From his grief grew purpose, hope, and a shared resolve to do better.
In 2024, the Heard Foundation was founded by Pat and his sisters, Erin Donahue and Laura Sullivan. What began as a family promise became a community-powered movement—one grounded in empathy, action, and love.
Heard’s mission is both deeply personal and boldly forward-looking: to reimagine perinatal mental-health care, to build a dedicated treatment center where parents can heal with dignity and support, and to foster a culture of kindness and connection so no one struggles alone.
Guided by Cora’s nightly prayer—“Thank you for a beautiful day in the neighborhood”—and Pat’s belief that love always wins, Heard transforms heartbreak into a force for good. Every initiative, partnership, and act of care carries forward the light of Cora, Dawson, and Callan, ensuring their memory helps shape a more compassionate future for families everywhere.
In Loving Memory
Every initiative, event, and partnership we create is rooted in honoring the lives of three extraordinary children.
Gentle, joyful, and full of imagination. Remembered through her rainbow heart, her love of princesses, and the kindness she shared so freely.
Cora Clancy
Bright and full of wonder, a natural problem solver who delighted in trucks, fire engines, and exploring the world.
Dawson Clancy
Affectionately known as “Happy Callan,” brave, curious, and full of love. His laughter and wide-eyed wonder remain a lasting reminder of pure joy.
Callan Clancy
Why Heard? Why Herd?
The name Heard carries two meanings:
Heard — every parent deserves to feel seen, supported, and validated.
Herd — the power of community walking beside families in their most vulnerable moments.
Together, they reflect our mission: ensuring every parent is heard and every family has a herd.
With Love from Duxbury
The Roots of
In the months after the tragedy, local moms and friends created With Love From Duxbury Day (WLFD)—a grassroots movement of kindness in the Clancy family’s hometown.
On the first anniversary of Cora, Dawson, and Callan’s passing, neighbors, schools, and businesses united in hundreds of acts of love and service, proving that compassion can flourish even in grief.
By 2024, the Heard Foundation and WLFD became one shared mission: to bring love, support, and hope to families everywhere.
What began as a single day of remembrance is now both a signature annual event on January 24 and a year-round movement of care—showing communities near and far that love is stronger than loss, and that love endures.
