WHAT: Lauren Cheney of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Visits with Patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Cheney, treated for a congenital heart defect as a child, visits with cardiac patients at the hospital WHEN: Friday, September 9, 2011 8:30 a.m. – media opportunity WHERE: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Outpatient Care Center (OCC) 555 S. 18th Street Columbus, OH 43205 *A media relations rep will meet you at this entrance for escort; parking available in the visitors parking garage located near the OCC entrance at the corner of S. 18th St. and Mooberry Dr. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Friday, Septmber 9, Lauren Cheney, 23, member of the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team, a forward on the Women’s Professional Soccer league Boston Breakers and a 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, will meet and greet cardiac patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Cheney, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., was born with a type of congenital heart defect – atrial septal defect (ASD) – a hole between the two atrial chambers of the heart. She required open heart surgery at the age of 3 to correct this condition. Today, she’s a world-class athlete and a testament to what’s possible when living with congenital heart disease. Cheney scored the first goal for the U.S. team in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup against North Korea on June 28, 2011, and assisted on the winning goal in the semi-final against France on July 13, 2011. Roughly 36,000 children are born each year with a congenital heart defect, the most common birth defect. About 1.3 million Americans with congenital cardiovascular defects are alive today thanks to the advances in research and treatment. The type of open-heart surgery used to correct Cheney’s ASD 20 years ago is now rarely used. Due to pioneering work, most ASDs are now closed by non-invasive catheter-based interventions. -30- CONTACT: Mary Ellen Peacock Nationwide Children’s Hospital Media Relations (614) 355-0495 Cell: (614) 937-7316
WHAT: Lauren Cheney of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Visits with Patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Cheney, treated for a congenital heart defect as a child, visits with cardiac patients at the hospital WHEN: Friday, September 9, 2011 8:30 a.m. – media opportunity WHERE: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Outpatient Care Center (OCC) 555 S. 18th Street Columbus, OH 43205 *A media relations rep will meet you at this entrance for escort; parking available in the visitors parking garage located near the OCC entrance at the corner of S. 18th St. and Mooberry Dr. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Friday, Septmber 9, Lauren Cheney, 23, member of the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team, a forward on the Women’s Professional Soccer league Boston Breakers and a 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, will meet and greet cardiac patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Cheney, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., was born with a type of congenital heart defect – atrial septal defect (ASD) – a hole between the two atrial chambers of the heart. She required open heart surgery at the age of 3 to correct this condition. Today, she’s a world-class athlete and a testament to what’s possible when living with congenital heart disease. Cheney scored the first goal for the U.S. team in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup against North Korea on June 28, 2011, and assisted on the winning goal in the semi-final against France on July 13, 2011. Roughly 36,000 children are born each year with a congenital heart defect, the most common birth defect. About 1.3 million Americans with congenital cardiovascular defects are alive today thanks to the advances in research and treatment. The type of open-heart surgery used to correct Cheney’s ASD 20 years ago is now rarely used. Due to pioneering work, most ASDs are now closed by non-invasive catheter-based interventions. -30- CONTACT: Mary Ellen Peacock Nationwide Children’s Hospital Media Relations (614) 355-0495 Cell: (614) 937-7316
