A Tale of Three Kiddies

We just added another student to Simon’s Club, the Kids’ Stories section of our website.  It got me thinking . . . .

Like many of you, I read A Tale of Two Cities in high school.  I attended Sycamore High School in Cincinnati.  As hard as it is to believe, that was almost 25 years ago.  I remember that one of the key elements of this classic is how connected the characters are despite their distance and personal situations.  This is story about connection too – that of students of the same high school.  However, this connection goes much deeper than alma mater.  It is a human connection.
My son, Simon, died in 2005.  I was moved to create an organization called Simon’s Fund. The Fund could have been about SIDS because Simon died when he was three months. However, we did lots of research and tests, which led us to the real cause of death – Long QT Syndrome.  LQTS is responsible for up to 15% of all SIDS deaths (it’s not just bumpers and back sleeping).  I guess all of the times I annoyed my teachers by asking “why” paid off.  Simon’s Fund is now an organization to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in children, primarily through free heart screenings for students.
In 2010, Jose Cerda, a junior at Sycamore was swimming for the Aviators.  He collapsed poolside and died.  The circumstances surrounding his death are textbook sudden cardiac arrest – a sudden and unexplained collapse immediately after competition.  I reached out to Jose’s mother, Luisa, and we decided to bring a heart screening to the students at Sycamore.
I reached out the school board, like I always do, for its support.  We needed a location and wanted to promote the screening to the students.  They declined. Fortunately, we had found strong partners in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Suburban Pediatrics and the Sycamore swimming community.  Working with all the organizations, we promoted the screening and held it at the Mason campus of Cincinnati Children’s.
Matthew Green was one of the eighty-five students that attended the that screening that day.  He was a student at Sycamore High School.  Matthew discovered a hole in his heart.  It has been repaired and he has returned to basketball and diving.  Cincinnati Children’s also launched a study about the best ways to conduct heart screenings for students.
I don’t know much about Jose Cerda or Matthew Green. I hope that some day I will know more. However, I know that our lives will be forever connected. For we all have lessons and experiences that we gather during our lifetime. If we learn from them, we are usually better off.  But, something truly magical happens when we share our lessons and experience for the benefit of another. That’s what makes life meaningful. That’s the Tale of Three Kiddies.
Protecting Hearts. Saving Lives.

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Protecting Hearts. Saving Lives.

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Jake Berman

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I was in the marching band and liked to hike and rock climb. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. After my procedure, I kept doing the same things.”

Whitney Jones

Whitney’s commitment to heart health advocacy began at 10 years old when she and her mother, Rayna, were diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome during a Simon’s Heart screening at Downingtown West High School. Despite the diagnosis, Whitney pursued her passion for cheerleading and continued to thrive in the sport through her college years at St. Joseph’s University. After graduating, Whitney joined Stryker Instruments as the Senior Specialist for Off-Site Meeting and Events, where she skillfully orchestrates events that promote health and medical innovation. Further extending her impact, Whitney is an active member of the Simon’s Heart Young Professionals Committee, while her mother Rayna contributes her expertise on the Board of Directors.

Katie Asper

“I attended a heart screening at Upper Dublin High School when I was ten. I played soccer. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome and had an ablation to fix the problem. I attend Temple University.”

Matthew Green

“I attended a heart screening in Mason, Ohio, when I was ten. I participated in baseball, basketball, and diving. I was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect. I had surgery to repair the hole and started wearing a protective shirt during activity. I am graduating from Miami University.”

Valerie Krawitz

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I played baseball, soccer, and track. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome and an atrial septal defect. I had heart surgery to repair the hole and I take medicine for the Long QT. I can’t play competitive sports like I once did, but found other activities. Next year, I’m attending Penn State University.”

Drew Harrington

“I attended a heart screening at Radnor High School when I was ten. I played lacrosse, tennis, and basketball. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. I used to feel my heart beat really fast, but just assumed it was fine. Coincidentally, on Simon’s 7th birthday, I had a procedure called an ablation. Today, my heart is fine and I attend the University of Richmond.”

Alaysia Keeley

“I attended a heart screening at Norristown High School when I was ten. I played softball and enjoyed going to the mall with my friends. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. I had to stop playing sports and drinking soda. Now, I take medication and live a normal life.”

Kyle McCabe

“I attended a heart screening at Norristown High School when I was ten. I played baseball, basketball, and football. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. I stopped playing sports to protect my heart, but I still manage to have fun.”

Melissa Fair

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I loved dancing and hanging out with my friends. I was diagnosed with Partial Anomolous Pulmonary Venous Return and Atrial Septal Defect. The doctor told me that my life would have been cut short if I hadn’t found out. I’m graduating from Penn State University this year.”

Zach Steffens

“I attended a heart screening at Stillman Elementary School in Tenafly, N.J., when I was fourteen years old. I love running, Tae Kwon Do, and Armenian cultural dancing. I was diagnosed with a rare congenital defect called ALCAPA (Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery). I had open-heart surgery and recovered well. One month later, I suffered a cardiac arrest and an automated external defibrillator (AED) saved my life. I now have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and am healthier than ever. I will be attending The College of New Jersey and majoring in biomedical engineering.”

Annie FitzPatrick

“I went into sudden cardiac arrest at a local convenience store when I was 19 years old. My heart stopped and the only reason I am alive today is because an AED was readily available. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome shortly after and was introduced to Darren and Phyllis with Simon’s Heart. I have been an active volunteer ever since. I went on to graduate Cum Laude from Drexel University with a double major in Business Analytics and Marketing and now work at a leading chemical company.”

Maeve Quinn

"I had a sudden cardiac arrest during softball tryouts at my high school. I was 15 years old. Thanks to the quick thinking of my coach and athletic trainer, they started doing CPR and using an AED immediately. This helped save my life. I had an implantable defibrillator surgically placed in case this happens again. I volunteer to educate people on the importance of screenings, learning CPR and the use of AEDs. Anyone can save a life like mine! I am planning on going to college for nursing."