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Colby was diagnosed with an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) or a “hole” in his heart when he was born. At the age of two, Colby's ASD had healed itself; however, the doctors were then able to hear a secondary murmur. After testing, he was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve, or BAV. When he was three years old his valve began leaking and it continued to worsen until his doctors decided to operate when he was eight. The surgeon tried to repair the valve but unfortunately the repair did not hold and within months Colby was in need of more extensive care. The decision was made to replace his valve with a St. Jude Medical valve, and on Feb. 16, 2007, just 10 days after his ninth birthday, Colby underwent bypass surgery again. It’s been two years since the last surgery and Colby is healthy, happy and growing like crazy. St. Jude Medical (SJM) Foundation was first introduced to Colby’s parents, Daryl and Lisa, while co-sponsoring an event for The University of Minnesota Pediatric Foundation. During the event, the Grooms spoke of their son and his eagerness to help further advance cardiac research by raising money on his own. Colby even set up a tent in his backyard and charged people a fee to hear his story and listen to his heart valve, which he then donated to the American Heart Association. The Grooms share a strong passion with the SJM Foundation to support education and research for children’s cardiac care so no parents have to go through the fear and distress that they have endured. |