Powhatan family honors son during Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

POWHATAN, Va. (WRIC) — As the community observes Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week from Feb. 7 through Feb. 14, Shannon and Amber Walls are sharing their son’s story to ensure his rhythm lives on in others.

The journey began at birth when Avery Walls was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a rare defect in the heart’s electrical system that causes dangerously fast heart rates.

"His heart was essentially racing around 300 beats a minute," Shannon Walls recalled. "An average infant is around 140 beats a minute."

Avery was placed on medication to manage his heart rhythm until he was three-and-a-half years old, at which point he underwent surgery. For the next 17 years, he lived a healthy, vibrant life.

In July 2023, the family received news that Avery’s heart had developed additional electrical pathways — a complication even rarer than his original diagnosis. Despite an echocardiogram showing a healthy heart just three weeks prior, Avery went to sleep one night and never woke up. He had suffered a heart attack in his sleep at 20 years old.

Shannon Walls turned to the one thing that offered solace: music.

"Before he passed, [Avery] asked if my band would play at his birthday, and if he could have a bonfire here at the house and invite his friends over. And, I said, 'You know, buddy, I don't know. I'll see what we can do.' And then when he passed away, it seemed only fitting to have that party for him," said Shannon Walls.

(Pictured: Walls family)

At that memorial bonfire, Shannon Walls’ bandmates surprised the family with an announcement: they had secured The Park RVA to host the first-ever Avery Walls Music Festival.

"When Avery passed away, it was music that comforted me the most," Shannon Walls said. "The comfort that I have gotten from doing this music festival has been unexpected. The community that we've built with these other musicians in Richmond is indescribable."

(Photo credit: Oana Crisp Pics LLC.)

(Photo credit: Oana Crisp Pics LLC.)

(Photo credit: Oana Crisp Pics LLC.)

(Photo credit: Oana Crisp Pics LLC.)

(Photo credit: Oana Crisp Pics LLC.)

Now preparing for its third year, the festival has become a powerhouse for local heart health. To date, the event has raised more than $80,000 for the American Heart Association. The impact of these funds is already being felt locally in Powhatan, providing first aid training and life-saving equipment for youth sports teams.

"If we can give one family the benefit of sparing them this level of grief then it’s worth it," said Shannon Walls.

(Pictured: Shannon and Amber Walls)

In honor of CHD Awareness Week, Shannon Walls is urging parents to advocate for their children’s heart health beyond the standard physical.

"Even if you don't have a history of family heart issues, that EKG can save your life. It can detect unnatural rhythms that don't always present themselves right away. Those kids who suddenly die on a basketball court, those are things that could have been picked up on with an EKG," he said.

The third annual Avery Walls Music Festival returns this year on April 11 at The Park RVA from noon to midnight. The event will feature a full lineup of vendors and local bands.

For Shannon Walls, the goal is simple.

"I don't want people to forget Avery. I'm going to keep doing it as long as it keeps making a difference and as long as it keeps his memory alive," he said.