surgeon, Dr. Victor Morell, chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and co-director of the
Heart Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC, uses these new developments to
saves lives every day. “In our family, he is definitely everybody’s hero,” said Rachel Hutchinson.
After returning home, Harper got her stitches out two weeks later and put on weight like
crazy. By May, she was off all medication with no restrictions. Harper is strong and fully able
to run, play, eat any and all foods, and is learning new things every day. In the future, she
will have to follow up with her cardiologist every six months, but that’s certainly nothing to
hold her back. She’s physically and developmentally right on track for her age, thriving and
spreading happiness to all who know her story. “She’s the kind of kid who can take a room by
storm,” said Rachel. Considering how far she’s come, even those toddler moments are easily
overlooked.
After the reality set in that Harper was going to be fine, Rachel decided to give back and
volunteer to help with the annual Heart Ball, the largest fundraising event for the Washington
County/Mon Valley Division of the American Heart Association (AHA). The event
coordinators heard Harper’s story and invited her to be one of the spokespeople for the event.
“We were very honored by being asked to speak at the ball. She’s the reason I am so passionate
about raising money for the American Heart Association,” said Rachel, who knows first-hand
about the benefits.
According to the AHA, heart disease remains our country’s number-one killer; more people
die from cardiovascular disease each year than all other diseases combined. Unfortunately,
cardiovascular disease and stroke touch the lives of millions of people every day and do not
discriminate between male and female, young and old. The American Heart Association raises
the much-needed funds for research to develop cutting-edge scientific advances and innovative
educational programs that can save the lives of our loved ones. The Heart Ball is one of the
premier events for the American Heart Association both locally and across the nation, and the
Washington/Mon Valley event has raised over $1.5 million to support the AHA mission to
save lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures and fighting back.
The Washington/Mon Valley Heart Ball is now in its 11th year and has a goal of raising
$225,000 in 2014. For every dollar raised locally, the AHA will match $3. Money raised here,
stays here, funding many projects, programs and services that make the Pittsburgh region one
of the top in the country for the best medical procedures, research, and patient care.
Although she can’t quite talk yet, Harper is an ideal spokesperson because she
demonstrates that heart disease can affect anyone. Perhaps more
importantly, she also demonstrates with her beautiful smile and
zest for life how the fundraising, research, and new procedures
are making a critical difference in so many lives.
“I am amazed at the survivors and how they want to give back,”
said Diana Cummings, director, Washington County and Mon
Valley Division of the American Heart Association. “It’s not until
we look and see the results that we realize that maybe even two
years ago, what was done might not have even been possible.”
Harper wears her “beads of courage” today not really
understanding what it took to earn one for every heart procedure
she has had and one for every day spent in the hospital. Someday,
she will understand and her family and friends will never forget how
thankful they are that she’s a part of their lives. “We feel so blessed
that advances in medicine have made such a difference in her life.
We’re so happy to help raise awareness for such a good cause and will
continue to do so,” said Rachel.
The AHA Washington County/Mon Valley Heart Ball will be held
on March 1, 2014, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. An event
run mostly by volunteers, the Heart Ball also receives donations from
individuals and corporations as well as food, flowers, auction baskets
and more. To get involved or for more information, call 412.208.3554
or visit washingtonpaheartball.heart.org. ■
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