Meet Mallory: 2019 Family Advocacy Champion
Mallory is participating at 2019 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day from June 25-26 in Washington, D.C. During the event, Mallory will share information about her health journey and the importance of children’s health care with members of Congress. Below is her story.
Mallory is fierce and tenacious! She enjoys chasing her older brother around, playing “mom” with her dolls, and expressing her opinion about what shoes to wear.
Mallory was born on Valentine’s Day with a congenital heart defect. She had a heart murmur shortly after birth and was referred to a pediatric cardiologist at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center. Mallory had her first open-heart surgery at just 14 months old. Despite being young, she showed her determination as she fought through the tears and struggles associated with recovery.
Mallory was making an amazing recovery until her cardiologist discovered a post-surgical defect. Essentially, her body rejected the first surgical attempt, making a second open-heart surgery inevitable. But Mallory and her team persisted.
This young fighter recently turned 4 and is making up for the time she lost in operating rooms and intensive care units. She enjoys her visits with Dr. Gregory Tatum because he turned this scary experience into a positive one for her. Mallory is thankful for her progress and the intervention of Duke Children’s for allowing her to have the life she is living today!
Join us in welcoming Mallory to 2019 Family Advocacy Day!
Molly Kelley commented
2019-05-20 22:51:03 -0400
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