“My why” was born on Feb. 4, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri. His name is Ralph and he’s my mother’s older brother. Ralph was born with a congenital heart defect, Tetrology of Fallot. This defect features a hole between the lower chambers of the heart and prevents the normal amount of blood from being pumped to the lungs. As a result, breathing can be difficult and dizziness and fainting are common. In the 1940’s, cardiac diagnostic tools were very limited, so doctors couldn’t give a concrete diagnosis until Ralph was 12. There was no medical insurance back then, but my grandparents searched for doctors who might be able to help. The American Heart Association was there for my family every step of the way, helping with Ralph’s needs. 

When Ralph was 12, he fell and broke his arm - badly. The doctor who treated his broken arm connected my grandparents to Dr. J. Gerard Mudd, a cardiologist who was performing cardiac catheterizations to diagnose valvular heart disease. Uncle Ralph told me he remembered lying on the surgical table, almost upside-down, having the procedure. The good news was that Dr. Mudd was able to provide a diagnosis and a referral to a surgeon who could help.

Dr. C. Rollins Hanlon was doing experimental heart surgeries at Firman Desloge Hospital (now St. Louis University Hospital). Dr. Hanlon was the first chair of the department of surgery at St. Louis University and a cardiac surgery pioneer. Dr. Hanlon operated - he couldn't patch the hole completely yet, but he performed a procedure (now known as the Blalock-Thomas-Taussig Shunt) that would pump oxygenated blood and help Ralph temporarily. It was 1953, and the heart-lung machine had yet to be introduced, so Ralph was packed in ice and transfused during the operation. The procedure involved removal of an artery from his left arm which was used to connect the pulmonary artery with the aorta. The removal of the artery from his arm left Ralph with no palpable pulse in his left arm. Intensive care units didn’t exist then either, so Ralph received around-the-clock nursing care while he was recovering in the hospital. Within months Ralph was going to school again, playing pick-up baseball with his friends, and even mowing the lawn- beginning to live a normal life!

After a stint at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy (where he became a ping pong champion), my uncle decided he wanted to be a teacher. He earned his Associate of Arts degree and began teaching 4th grade. Ralph got married in 1962 and he and my aunt welcomed a daughter, Beverly, in March of 1964. Shortly after Beverly was born, Dr. Hanlon told Ralph they could permanently fix the hole in the heart wall and repair his valve to be operable. In the years since Ralph’s first operation cardiac treatment made great strides, due in part to research funded by the American Heart Association. If he wanted to see his daughter grow up, Ralph needed this operation.

Uncle Ralph was 24 when his second operation was performed by Dr. Hanlon and his associate, Dr. Willman. For 36 hours following the surgery his family didn’t know if Ralph would survive. He needed nursing care around the clock, as intensive care units still didn’t exist. The nursing care he needed was provided by the American Heart Association. 

Ralph not only survived the surgery, he thrived. Six weeks following his operation he was back teaching school. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree and a master’s in education from Southern Illinois University. He and my aunt added a son, Ralph Jr., to their family two years later. Growing up, I saw my uncle doing the same things my dad and grandpa did. I knew he had a heart condition, but I had no idea what that really meant. My uncle water and snow skied, camped, hiked, fished, and did many things that dads with young families do. 

When Ralph was in his 50's problems re-surfaced. His heart had hardened from overwork, creating breathing difficulties. In 1993, a Dr. Hanlon-trained heart surgeon would lead Ralph’s third heart surgery, trimming the hardened part of the heart muscle & "giving him a tune up."

Following his third surgery, Ralph retired from teaching. He taught fourth grade in the East St. Louis, Illinois school district for 34 years, and took pleasure in teaching several generations of students.  He spent his retirement having a wonderful time; traveling, driving his red convertible, gardening, exploring on his ATV, singing with my aunt in the church choir, and practicing tai chi. Uncle Ralph was the oldest patient in the Center for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease at Barnes-Jewish & Washington University Heart & Vascular Center in St. Louis. He told me that he never thought about the things he couldn’t do because of his heart condition but focused on all the things he could do.

My uncle passed quietly on the morning of August 18, 2026, at the age of 86. I have so many special memories of growing up with my Uncle Ralph, Aunt Pat and my cousins. I don’t think these would be possible without the American Heart Association.

 It wasn’t until I interviewed my uncle in 2016 and did research on the history of cardiac surgery that I realized just how special my uncle was, medically speaking.  Knowing what I know now, I think he’s a miracle. In addition to my cousins Bev and Ralph, my uncle has 5 grandchildren, & 5 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandson; a legacy that is due, in part, to the work of the American Heart Association.

 Since 1924, the American Heart Association has funded innovative research, advocated for public health policy and provided tools to save and improve lives. I’m walking in the Tampa Bay Heart Walk this year to honor the life and legacy of my uncle Ralph. Please consider a donation to the Heart Association in Ralph’s memory.