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Patricia's Story:
Several years ago my son Victor collapsed in a gym during basketball pratice. The cause of his collapse: sudden cardiac death. Vic was a healthy 18-year-old who was preparing for and looking forward to attending college. He had been a avid basketball player since the age of five. Vic led Dutch Fork High School to their first championship playoff game in school history. This was a first for Dutch Fork boys to be both Region and Lower State Champs. It was also the first time in the history of Dutch Fork that a player had scored over 1,000 points in a season--Vic was that player. He was outgoing and happy, and was liked by everyone. He touched many lives through his passion and commitment to basketball. I lost someone so dear to me and so suddenly, without any warning. Vic showed no symptoms of anything abnormal. I learned after his death that he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or an enlarged heart-the silent killer. I had spoken to Vic twice that day. I had no idea that they would be our last conversations with each other. Along with A Heart For Sports my family and friends have chosen to focus on saving young lives from sudden cardiac death through early detection and through increased public awareness. We are also helping families that are losing love ones to understand why or how these tragedies might have been prevented. In loving memory of my son, Victor Sims, Jr., I will be honored and proud to wear my red dress. |
