Erica Stevens is no ordinary little girl. She was born without a right ventricle. Which means her single ventricle was working twice as hard to pump blood to her lungs and body. This is a complex congenital heart defect that requires a two-stage repair.
Doctors performed Erica’s first surgery when she was just four months old. A few years later, they completed the repair with a second surgery. Today Erica enjoys soccer, ballet and tap dancing.
Erica’s challenges aren’t over yet. One day, she’ll likely need a pacemaker to ensure her heart beats regularly. But thanks to research supported by the American Heart Association, Erica will be dancing for years to come.
Erica Stevens is the face of heart disease.
The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. These diseases, the Nation's No.1 and No.3 killers, claim more than 865,000 American lives a year. Thanks to all our walkers, donors and volunteers who have accepted the challenge to help fight heart disease and stroke. We cannot achieve our mission without each one of you!
For more information please contact one of your Start! Heart Walk staff partners at (585) 697-6270 or via email at robbin.anello@heart.org
