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Kaete Nazaroff hasn't added a story.
I'm just a mom. A mom who loves her son with all her might.
Raising Zac was the utmost joy. At four, he kicked his first soccer ball and made his first goal with the local preschool team. At 14 years of age, he accomplished a goal that I, as mom, supported but in the back of my mind, doubted. I'll never forget the moment when he came running in to tell me that he had just received a phone call from the National team Residency program. Ever the pessimist, I called the person back to verify this wasn't a prank call. Nope, it was for real. My baby was heading to Bradenton Florida to join the US residency program.
At 17 years of age, Zac represented the United States in the U-17 Men's World Cup. I proudly watched my Zac on ESPN and cried with him when they lost. Doors were opened. Zac went to Germany to try out with a team playing overseas. He was offered a contract but instead, opted to stay in the states and play for the MLS. Draft day was surreal. Zac was chosen by Toronto FC. My baby would be playing professional soccer! Dreams do come true he told me.
Zac packed his bags and flew to Toronto for Spring training in anticipation for setting his cleats on a professional pitch. Two days later I get the call, a call a mother never wants to hear. "Ms. Herold. We need you up here immediately. We will have you on the first flight to Toronto. We believe Zachary has a heart condition."
WHAT? This can't be true. My son had been playing at the highest level of soccer for many years. No whispers. No maybe something is wrong with his heart. Just Wham! Many plane trips, tests, and doctors later, the diagnosis was in. "Zachary Herold has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (aka HCM) and will NEVER be able to play soccer again." The headlines read "Zachary Herold to retire before ever playing his first game".
Doors were opened for Zac, he slammed them shut, angry at the world for what had been ripped away from him.
One day I awoke and said, if he can't run, I'll run for him. Easy huh? Not so much for a 45 year old who had never run a day in her life. I had shirts made up that read "screen athletes for HCM" and "I race for Zac". A few 5k's and numerous obstacle mud runs later, I decided to try for a half marathon. Yep...I finished! Fast forward two years and I finished four more! I decided to take on triathlons, spreading the word to screen athletes for HCM.
This year, I joined the Ride to Give Army and set a goal to finish the Raleigh Ironman in the name of my son, HCM, and Team Ride to Give.
HCM takes the lives of athletes all too often. I frequently read of athletes who dropped dead during a race, a basketball game, or a soccer game. I quietly offer up hugs to the family and realize again how lucky my Zac is to have life.
Although every race is for my son, the Raleigh Ironman will be different. This race, I ask for donations to go towards HCM and awareness. 50% of proceeds will go towards Team Ride to Give (http://www.ridetogive.com) and 50% towards raising HCM awareness, screeing, and treatment.
Please donate towards my cause. Help me help other parents, families, and friends who may not be as lucky as Zac, who may not be diagnosed before death.
No amount is too little. $2, $5, $10, $100 or whatever you are compelled to donate. Or simply just pass this along to get his story out. Who knows, maybe someone you know and love, unbeknownst to them, is living with HCM.
Let's save lives, one screening at a time!
I race for Zac Screen athletes for HCM
Thanks Beth
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