Hometown: Lancaster, OH
Age on Race Day: 15
Diagnosis: Congenital Heart Defect
Graysen’s pediatrician heard a murmur in his heart when he was just 1 year old. He was quickly diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve, a common congenital heart defect where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three.
When Graysen and his family moved to Columbus, Ohio for a job opportunity, his doctor recommended a cardiologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital. He began attending regular appointments for routine checkups, imaging, and measurements.
“Over the years, the hospital’s outstanding support, deep expertise, and genuine compassion have been a constant source of comfort,” shares Graysen’s mom, Amy. “I have always felt he was in the best hands possible.”
As Graysen grew, so did his love for football. But in 2025, doctors identified a moderate ascending dilation of his aorta, a condition where the main artery leaving the heart is wider than normal. Their guidance was clear: no high‑impact contact sports.
“It was hard watching him have to step back from the sport he loved after only being able to play one year of middle school football,” Amy says. “The risk was simply too high.”
Letting go of football wasn't easy for him, but he has since shifted his focus, finding new ways to stay active and involved.
Graysen will need lifelong cardiology care, but with his parents and care team by his side, he will never walk this journey alone.
Of the care Graysen has received, Amy says, “From our first appointment with the cardiology department and every year since, we know he is in great hands.”
