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 September 2006 Back to Table of Contents Back to Archives Main Page Section: WNY Caregivers Survivors Walk the Walk By Trina Tardone-Steinhart As you may know, the biggest cause of death in the Buffalo Niagara region isn’t crime or cancer, but an epidemic of heart disease and stroke. Every family who loses a loved one realizes the significance of prevention, treatment and research, and those who survive understand their great fortune. This year some of those survivors are bringing new life to the American Heart Association Buffalo Niagara Heart Walk (AHW) which takes place Saturday, September 23 at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo. Heart Walk organizers will honor those who, on their own or with the unconditional love of another, have found a way to keep fighting to stay strong and healthy. Survivors will be walking in this year’s Heart Walk and have set personal goals to raise funds needed to fuel critical research and education in the area of heart disease and stroke. Here are a few of their special stories.
Nicolas Gambino, now five years old, was born with a rare syndrome (VATERS association) causing a congenital heart defect (Tetrology of Fallot). He was also born with an esophageal birth defect in which the esophagus is shortened and closed off at some point along its length. This defect almost always occurs in conjunction with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), a condition in which the esophagus is improperly attached to the trachea, the “windpipe” that carries air into the lungs. Therefore, two days after he was born, he had surgery to detach the esophagus from his trachea. However, when the doctors at Women’s and Children’s Hospital went in from the left side of his tiny body they could not initially do the surgery, as they learned his aorta was flipped. They had to close him up and go into the other side of his body. Soon after he recovered, he underwent two open-heart surgeries. For the first one, Nicolas was Mercy Flighted to the Cleveland Clinic so they could put a shunt in his heart. This allowed enough oxygenated blood to travel through his body. It was a close call. Nicolas underwent a second open-heart surgery when he was about eight-months old to repair the heart so it could function as close to normal as possible. In June of 2003, he had angioplasty because the pulmonary valve was narrowing again. Nicolas’ heart will never be completely healthy. He has a leaky valve that may need replacing one day. His aorta is flipped in the opposite direction, and he has narrowing around the valve which will most likely need widening through another angioplasty in the future. Nicolas’ life was saved because of research funded through the American Heart Association. Without funding, research would be minimal. As Nicolas and others with heart defects continue to grow, we need to provide them with the best future possible. Nicolas is starting kindergarten in September. Nicolas’ mother is Maureen Gambino, a member of the Buffalo Niagara Heart Walk Committee organizing and creating the event.
Jared Lombardi is the beneficiary of recent medical advancements, which have made his very survival possible. Jared also began life with the congenital heart defect Tetralogy of Fallot. Jared, or “Jear-Bear,” as he is affectionately called by his family, was born on June 19, 2000, 13 months and 3 days after his “big” brother Jacob, to Jason and Jennifer Lombardi of Lewiston. Although no problems had been anticipated, shortly after his birth the delivery room nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital felt “something wasn’t quite right,” so Jared’s pediatrician, Dr. Robert Gadawski, was notified. Upon his recommendation Jared was transferred to Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, where his heart condition was diagnosed by cardiologist, Dr. Joseph Orie. At four months of age he traveled to Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital for his first surgery, followed one year later by surgery number two at the Cleveland Clinic. On June 19, 2006, Jared celebrated his sixth birthday. To see this robust, happy-go-lucky toddler today, one would never guess what this little guy has endured. His bright, bespectacled eyes, ever-present smile and gregarious personality inspire everyone around him. He attends school every day at Niagara Children’s, where he has been dubbed “Smooch” by the faculty and staff. By the grace of God, the prayers of many, and the miracle of modern medicine, Jared embraces a future full of promise. Barbara and Robert Maher, Amherst/Clarence Barbara had a stroke around age 35 in 1977 with three teenage children; she is disabled and has lost her speech. Now, in 2006, her husband Robert has been the primary caregiver for Barbara. After working his way up the corporate ladder, Robert’s own health became a concern and he opted for early retirement. Robert now takes wonderful care of his wife, and together they enjoy their retirement home in Florida from November to May and spend their summers in West Amherst/Clarence. The Mahers enjoy taking cruises and Robert is an avid golfer. They have participated in the Heart Walk in the past and have been proud to wear their red cap. This year, Robert Maher is proud to give back and is supporting the AHW by encouraging friends and family to walk. Patrick Ieraci, Lewiston Their joy at the birth of a fourth son quickly turned to despair when the Ieracis were told that Patrick was born with a congenital heart defect. Patrick had both transposition of the great arteries and a hole in his heart. He needed immediate surgery to survive. After enduring two open-heart surgeries in the first month of life, Patrick today is a happy, inquisitive and very active seven-year-old. Until Patrick’s birth, the Ieracis thought heart disease affected only older adults. The family quickly learned that heart disease does not discriminate. The Ieracis want Patrick’s story to help make people aware that heart disease can strike at any age, and inspire other families to persevere. Through research funded by the American Heart Association, Patrick’s future is bright and full of promise. Darlene Maclay, Amherst Darlene, originally from Syracuse, N.Y., is 42 and a mother of four. When she was eight years old she required open heart surgery to repair a double outlet right ventricle, which included a hole in one wall; another wall of her heart was missing entirely. She was the youngest pacemaker recipient in New York State. In 2001, Darlene founded Summit Health Care Solutions, Buffalo, to help educate and assist families in the Medicaid application process. American Heart Association has played a role in Darlene’s life since she was a pre-teen and now we are fortunate to have her healthy as an adult to share her passion for the organization and inspire others with her story. American Heart Association event sponsors include: Independent Health, Catholic Health Systems, Kaleida Health, Forever Young Magazine, STAR 102.5, ECMC, Invitrogen®, WKBW/Channel 7 TV, WBEN Radio, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Buffalo Athletic Club (BAC), KeyBank back to top back to table of contents Current Issue | About Forever Young | Where to Find | Advertise | Our Advertisers | Community Calendar | Contest | Clubs | Contact Us | Archives | Home |
