BELLA IS WHY!
Bella Cooper, who is now 10-years-old was found to have a heart murmur on her second day of life. After a cardiology consult, EKG, and an echocardiogram, Bella was diagnosed with a large Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). At Bella's 1-month appointment with the Cardiology Physicians at Cincinnati Children's Medical Center (CCHMC), Bella was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, which includes a ventricular septal defect (VSD), an atrial septal defect (ASD), an overriding aorta, pulmonary valve stenosis, and hypoplasia of the pulmonary artery.
Bella is truly a heart warrior and underwent extensive open-heart surgery when she was 6 months old at CCHMC to correct her congenital abnormality. Bella is now full of life and has participated in the Heart Mini over the past 9 years. The Heart Mini has always been encouraging and supportive throughout all of Bella's heart journey. Without the research and support from the AHA, Bella would not have had the resources or research that gave her a second chance at life. After participating in the heart mini each year, Bella has developed a love for running and she enjoys teaching others how to stay heart healthy!
It has been my goal each year as Bella's mother to organize a team in her honor while supporting the research and funding for the AHA. Without Bella's life-saving surgery, we would not be blessed with her gracious presence today.
