Meet Crystal Broadnax, one of the "smallest survivors"

Crystal, daughter of Nicole Broadnax, a Team Captain for the 2008 Sacramento Heart Walk, was first diagnosed with a Ventricular Septal Defect in her lower right heart chamber during one of her mommy’s prenatal appointments. One night, at just one month old, she began to sweat profusely during her overnight feeding and began to breathe very heavily. These were the signs that Crystal’s doctors had indicated to “look out” for. Three months after Crystal was born she underwent her first open heart surgery.

After spending three weeks in the hospital, Crystal was placed on several heart medications to make sure her body didn’t reject the artificial patch that was placed in her heart and to regulate her heart beat.

After many months and several doctor appointments later, Crystal is a healthy 19th month old and her only “prescription” now is to have fun and discover the world. And although she will need to have another follow up surgery in the near future, her family is confident that through the continuing efforts of the American Heart Association and the advances in research being made every day, Crystal can continue to live a normal, happy life.