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March 6, 2005 Sunday
Correction Appended
SECOND EDITION
SECTION: NORTHEAST TARRANT; Pg. 1R
LENGTH: 695 words
HEADLINE: In Sarah's name
BYLINE: KATHY A. GOOLSBY, Staff Writer
DATELINE: NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
BODY:
Their children had been friends since first grade.
But Laura Friend and Reesa Michalak didn't meet until last July after one of
those children, 12-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Friend, collapsed and died at a
local water park.
Now the two North Richland Hills mothers are working to ensure Sarah is not
forgotten by organizing a 5K walk/run in her memory. They also hope the May 14
event will raise awareness about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart
problem that caused Sarah's death.
It's often called the silent killer.
"Sarah was happy, healthy and looked 100 percent perfect with no symptoms,
and inside lurked this horrible disease," said Ms. Friend, 40.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is characterized by a thickening of the
heart muscle that cuts off blood flow, especially after strenuous exercise.
Sarah was taking a lifeguard class at NRH2O on July 14. She stayed after
class to play on some of the water rides with a friend.
Sarah had just exited the wave pool and was climbing a double flight of
stairs when she collapsed. She never regained consciousness and died within
hours.
"There are three signs of HCM, which she didn't have: heart palpitations,
shortness of breath and fainting," Ms. Friend said. "But a lot of times your
first sign is sudden death."
Ms. Michalak was shocked to read about Sarah's death. She was more surprised
when her son, Brady, told her that Sarah was his friend from Smithfield Middle
School. He asked to take a rose to Sarah's funeral, and his mother accompanied
him.
"I didn't know Sarah, but it was a huge shock for me to sit there and realize
this could have been my child," Ms. Michalak said. "I wanted to do something for
the family, something that might make a difference in my son's life and others'
lives."
Ms. Michalak had participated in fund-raising runs since the '80s and thought
an annual run could honor Sarah, increase HCM awareness and raise money for
research and education.
"At the same time, I was thinking, 'I don't want Sarah to be forgotten,'" Ms.
Friend said. "I'm usually a follower. I'm not one to start something up, but
Reesa called and said she was going to start this walk, and I said, 'Could I
help?'"
Another mother, Kate Sheehy, has joined them and is recruiting sponsors.
Albertsons, Liberty Bank, North Hills Hospital and Bally Total Fitness have
agreed to help with donations or promotion.
Ms. Friend estimates they need about $6,000 to cover expenses, including
hiring a timer so the event is certified by USA Track & Field.
Proceeds will be donated to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association,
based in New Jersey. The nonprofit group was started in 1995 shortly after its
founder's 36-year-old sister died of HCM.
"Our goal has been and remains to provide education, to be an advocacy group
for people with HCM, and to work with researchers for better treatments," said
founder Lisa Salberg, who was diagnosed as having HCM at age 12.
Sharon Bates of Phoenix also raises money for HCM. Her son, Anthony, was 20
when he died of the disease after a football practice at Kansas State University
in July 2000.
Ms. Bates sends part of the funds she raises to the national organization and
uses the remainder to provide free cardiac screenings in Arizona and Kansas. Her
hope is that doctors can discover HCM early and prevent more unexpected deaths.
"My new life's work is to improve the process for health care for our
children," she said. "It's important for myself and Laura to bang our drum as
long as we can and as loud as we can to save the next child."
Looking back, Ms. Friend said her grandmother's heart condition probably was
HCM. Her husband, Jon, also has heart problems on his side of the family, so
they are closely watching daughter Katherine, 10. Tests, however, show she has
no signs of HCM.
Ms. Friend finds some comfort in doing something positive through the
walk/run, which she hopes will be an annual event.
"Sarah was my best friend," she said. "I never had the chance to fight for
Sarah, but now I'm able to fight for her cause, and that makes me feel like I'm
taking care of Sarah. And if we can save one child, it's worth it."
Correction Appended
SECOND EDITION
SECTION: NORTHEAST TARRANT; Pg. 1R
LENGTH: 695 words
HEADLINE: In Sarah's name
BYLINE: KATHY A. GOOLSBY, Staff Writer
DATELINE: NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
BODY:
Their children had been friends since first grade.
But Laura Friend and Reesa Michalak didn't meet until last July after one of
those children, 12-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Friend, collapsed and died at a
local water park.
Now the two North Richland Hills mothers are working to ensure Sarah is not
forgotten by organizing a 5K walk/run in her memory. They also hope the May 14
event will raise awareness about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart
problem that caused Sarah's death.
It's often called the silent killer.
"Sarah was happy, healthy and looked 100 percent perfect with no symptoms,
and inside lurked this horrible disease," said Ms. Friend, 40.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is characterized by a thickening of the
heart muscle that cuts off blood flow, especially after strenuous exercise.
Sarah was taking a lifeguard class at NRH2O on July 14. She stayed after
class to play on some of the water rides with a friend.
Sarah had just exited the wave pool and was climbing a double flight of
stairs when she collapsed. She never regained consciousness and died within
hours.
"There are three signs of HCM, which she didn't have: heart palpitations,
shortness of breath and fainting," Ms. Friend said. "But a lot of times your
first sign is sudden death."
Ms. Michalak was shocked to read about Sarah's death. She was more surprised
when her son, Brady, told her that Sarah was his friend from Smithfield Middle
School. He asked to take a rose to Sarah's funeral, and his mother accompanied
him.
"I didn't know Sarah, but it was a huge shock for me to sit there and realize
this could have been my child," Ms. Michalak said. "I wanted to do something for
the family, something that might make a difference in my son's life and others'
lives."
Ms. Michalak had participated in fund-raising runs since the '80s and thought
an annual run could honor Sarah, increase HCM awareness and raise money for
research and education.
"At the same time, I was thinking, 'I don't want Sarah to be forgotten,'" Ms.
Friend said. "I'm usually a follower. I'm not one to start something up, but
Reesa called and said she was going to start this walk, and I said, 'Could I
help?'"
Another mother, Kate Sheehy, has joined them and is recruiting sponsors.
Albertsons, Liberty Bank, North Hills Hospital and Bally Total Fitness have
agreed to help with donations or promotion.
Ms. Friend estimates they need about $6,000 to cover expenses, including
hiring a timer so the event is certified by USA Track & Field.
Proceeds will be donated to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association,
based in New Jersey. The nonprofit group was started in 1995 shortly after its
founder's 36-year-old sister died of HCM.
"Our goal has been and remains to provide education, to be an advocacy group
for people with HCM, and to work with researchers for better treatments," said
founder Lisa Salberg, who was diagnosed as having HCM at age 12.
Sharon Bates of Phoenix also raises money for HCM. Her son, Anthony, was 20
when he died of the disease after a football practice at Kansas State University
in July 2000.
Ms. Bates sends part of the funds she raises to the national organization and
uses the remainder to provide free cardiac screenings in Arizona and Kansas. Her
hope is that doctors can discover HCM early and prevent more unexpected deaths.
"My new life's work is to improve the process for health care for our
children," she said. "It's important for myself and Laura to bang our drum as
long as we can and as loud as we can to save the next child."
Looking back, Ms. Friend said her grandmother's heart condition probably was
HCM. Her husband, Jon, also has heart problems on his side of the family, so
they are closely watching daughter Katherine, 10. Tests, however, show she has
no signs of HCM.
Ms. Friend finds some comfort in doing something positive through the
walk/run, which she hopes will be an annual event.
"Sarah was my best friend," she said. "I never had the chance to fight for
Sarah, but now I'm able to fight for her cause, and that makes me feel like I'm
taking care of Sarah. And if we can save one child, it's worth it."
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