Just because this year’s Heart Month is coming to a close doesn’t mean heart health and safety is taking a backseat! These are important topics to keep spreading awareness and education about all year round. Part of our Heart Month campaign is supporting the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign to advocate for the importance of CPR. To find local programs near you, visit https://cpr.heart.org/en/.
At Pilot, our team members are our “why.” We asked some of them to share their connection to Heart Month, and the responses were incredible. Read some of our team members’ heartfelt stories below!
Natasha
“Two years ago, I got a phone call from my mom telling me that she needed to have emergency surgery because her heart was blocked. When she went in for the surgery, the doctors told her that her heart could be as much as 80% blocked, but when they did the procedure, they realized she was about 97% blocked. If she didn’t have the surgery that day, my mom would probably have had a massive heart attack. Thankfully, my mom’s doing great. If it wasn’t for the technology we have and the research that’s been done, I wouldn’t have my mom here today.”
Hannah
“My son Bennett was born on February 7, 2012, with only half of his heart. His condition is known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and there’s a three-step surgery children born with this defect must undergo in order to have a chance to live until adulthood. Bennett had his first open heart surgery by the time he was six days old. Shortly after that, the doctors discovered that Bennett had suffered a stroke and a brain bleed, resulting in him being put on a ventilator for a very long time. By the time he was six months old, Bennett underwent two more open heart surgeries before the first stage of the three-step surgery was deemed successful. Although the first 10 months of his life were inside the hospital, we were able to bring him home just in time for his first Christmas.
A little over a year later, Bennett turned 2 and we took him back to the hospital in hopes of completing the second stage of the three-step surgery. This visit ended with Bennett needing emergency open heart surgery just days later, totaling in at five open heart surgeries before his third birthday. We focused on enjoying our time with him, as we were told he couldn’t withstand any more surgeries. Thankfully, Bennett’s lungs grew stronger in the next couple of years. There were a few hospital visits toward the end of 2021, but in February 2022, the doctors told us Bennett needed a heart transplant. A few months later, on July 9, Bennett received his gift of life.
Bennett turned 12 years old on February 7, and his heart is doing amazing. He has more energy than I could have ever imagined, and his eyes are full of life and light. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him and all the amazing adventures we will go on together. He’s in several research studies to help children who follow. The life we live hasn’t always been easy. Bennett is still delayed across the board – he doesn’t walk independently, and he has a g-tube to eat and take his medicine. There have been a lot of tears but also a lot of laughter. I owe all the glory to God. I’m forever grateful to our donor family for making a selfless decision during such a hard time in their lives. I’m thankful for our doctors and nurses who love Bennett so very much and I’m thankful for my Pilot family who have been very supportive along the way.”
Rosetta
“In September 2005, my dad was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and was told he needed a heart transplant. He was put on the list, and thankfully on December 15, 2005, my dad was blessed with a new heart. Now, 18 years later, he is still with us. Thank you, Cleveland Clinic, American Heart Association and the heart transplant doctors for all these extra Christmases my children have had with their grandpa.”
Zach
“My mom was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a symptom of which is congestive heart failure, when she was pregnant with me in 1992. At that time, her doctors told her that she would not make it to see me graduate high school. My mom being who she is wouldn’t take that for an answer.
Between lifestyle changes, diets and surgeries, my mom has seen me graduate high school and get married, seen my sister graduate high school and college and she’s become a grandmother. And 31 years after seeing that first doctor, my mom is the strongest, toughest person I know.”
Kelly
“My youngest son was born with Aortic Stenosis, which causes his aortic valve to have two flaps instead of three. A normal shaped of aortic valve is like a peace sign, while my son’s is shaped like a crescent moon, since two of the flaps fused together. He was restricted from sports and has to take antibiotics to prevent inflammation in the heart. He has been monitored his entire life and will continue to be. Eventually, he will need to have the valve replaced. His condition causes tachycardia, which is a disorder that causes the heart to beat faster than usual.”
Renee
“When I was 12 years old, I found my mom laying on the floor of our laundry room, unresponsive. I put a towel under her head to prop her up and immediately called 911. I gave them the information they needed, then began CPR as they instructed me what to do. I got my mother’s pulse back and she looked at me while we waited for help to arrive. She couldn’t talk and was grabbing her chest and looking like she was in pain. Once the paramedics arrived, my mother was stable and taken to the hospital where she found out she had experienced an episode of cardiac arrest. I saved her life – and 16 years later, she still thanks me!”
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories! Because of stories like this, we’re able to spread awareness about the importance of heart health and safety. To explore resources and learn how to keep your heart healthy, visit www.heart.org.
One response to “Check Out These Heartfelt Team Member Stories!”
My mom was born with a hole in her heart. This was in the early/mid ‘70s so we didn’t have much of the technology or knowledge we do now. She had open heart surgery when she was 5 and still has a slight heart murmur, but other than that she is doing great! She turns 50 in July. This month is special for my mom!