Lauren Cheney Visits Heart Patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital

On Friday, September 9, Lauren Cheney, 23, member of the U.S. National Women's Soccer Team, a forward on the Women's Professional Soccer league Boston Breakers and a 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, visited with cardiac patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Cheney, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., was born with a type of congenital heart defect -- Atrial septal defect (ASD) -- a hole between the two atrial chambers of the heart. She required open heart surgery at the age of 3 to correct this condition. Today, she's a world-class athlete and a testament to what's possible when living with congenital heart disease.

Cheney scored the first goal for the U.S. team in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup against North Korea on June 28, 2011, and assisted on the winning goal in the semi-final against France on July 13, 2011.

Roughly 36,000 children are born each year with a congenital heart defect, the most common birth defect. About 1.3 million Americans with congenital cardiovascular defects are alive today thanks to the advances in research and treatment. The type of open-heart surgery used to correct Cheney's ASD 20 years ago is now rarely used. Due to pioneering work, most ASDs are now closed by non-invasive catheter-based interventions.

Learn more about our Heart Center and support our life changing research and surgeries.
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/heart

Every heart patient matters. Every gift matters, large or small. Please considering supporting the patients we serve.
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/heart

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Atrial septal defect
• Lauren Cheney
• Heart Center
• Congenital
• Heart
• Disease
• US Womens Soccer

[soccerskilj]

This girl is authentic and compassionate! Lauren is a better person than a footballer and she is one helluva footballer!!