Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Jesse Owens 5K, 1 Mile & Kids Run

Hometown: Columbus, OH
Age on Race Day: 13
Diagnosis: Congenital Heart Disease

Before Noah was born, his parents learned he would be born with a complex cyanotic congenital heart disease or CCHD. CCHD is a group of serious heart defects present at birth that can cause low oxygen levels in the blood, resulting in a bluish skin tint. Caused by structural defects that allow oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood, the condition requires surgery. 

Knowing Noah would need surgery shortly after birth made the rest of the pregnancy difficult for his parents, Corey and Kevin. 

“I was grateful to know his diagnosis - I knew it was best for him and could improve his outcome, but I hated knowing,” Corey remembers. “I hated not being able to do anything to make it better.”

Noah was born at 39 weeks, and as expected, had very low oxygen levels making him appear blue. He required an urgent intervention in the cardiac catheterization lab called a balloon atrial septostomy to help his blood mix better. The intervention was successful, and Noah was set up for heart surgery at just five days old. 

The surgery was a success, and after a few days in the cardiac intensive care unit and later in a step-down unit to ensure his oxygen levels were maintained, Noah’s heart was functioning properly and he was discharged. 

“To be able to feel so confident and secure while having our newborn have complex heart surgery was such a relief, shares Corey. “To be able to stay in Columbus with our family and our support system while our son had his care close to home was invaluable to us.”