CHD

Meet Kaitlyn Gansor, a middle-schooler with a resilient heart 

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When Angela Gansor and her husband, Steve, went in for her 20‑week scan while she was pregnant, she expected another routine appointment, especially after a normal amniocentesis. Instead, the sonogram revealed an issue with the baby’s heart, which prompted a visit to a pediatric cardiologist where a fetal echocardiogram confirmed a congenital heart defect: tetralogy of Fallot. As Angela calmly processed the news, the cardiologist asked her, “Are you okay? You’re taking this so well.” Angela explained this … Read more

First grader Chase Mitchell overcame multiple surgeries and found his strength

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Chase Mitchell may be one of the youngest kids in his first grade class at Westridge Elementary, with a September birthday, but he’s already lived through more medical challenges than many people will ever face. Today, he’s a happy, energetic kid who plays baseball, flag football and soccer. To anyone watching him run across a field, you’d never guess he was born with a serious congenital heart defect. … Read more

Meet Tony Brown, a heart warrior who beat all odds

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When Tita Escobar was five months pregnant, doctors broke the kind of news no expecting parent wants to hear; her baby would be born with a heart condition and might not survive past birth. After a high-risk pregnancy, baby Tony arrived into the world. Tita had mere seconds to hold him before Tony was quickly rushed into the intensive care … Read more

After overcoming a major heart event, ultramarathoner Michael Lo Presti has an important message

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Decades ago, when Michael Lo Presti first began his running career, he started seeing the usual positive results that come with this healthy habit… but one troubling symptom persisted. His blood pressure was consistently measuring high. It turned out he was living with an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. A heart ultrasound revealed the cause of the … Read more

Seven-year-old Kayleigh Williams has the heart of a fighter

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Stafford County, VA seven-year-old Kayleigh Williams has a resilient heart: one that’s survived complications, surgeries, diseases and other big challenges with a fighting spirit. Before she was born, her mother, Carine, learned at her 20-week ultrasound that Kayleigh had hypoplastic right heart syndrome. At the time, the family was based in Jacksonville, NC, where Kayleigh’s … Read more

A mother and son with a bond like no other

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Ashley and Gabriel Boyea

Ashley Boyea is no stranger to the trials and tribulations that come with cardiac issues. When Ashley was in her 20s, she started experiencing shortness of breath, thinking her asthma was flaring up. However, she got checked out, and her doctor diagnosed her with sick sinus syndrome, which is a condition that disrupts the function … Read more