She may be young, but she's building a legacy, thanks to her parents and the hundreds of people who rallied behind a new law that could save other children like her.
In an article published in Miami Herald on September 28, 2014, Mary Beth Miller was one of the many children diagnosed with a birth defect known as hypoplastic right heart syndrome, a type of heart disease that means her right ventricle was missing.
Born on October 2005, she spent her years growing up in health care facilities, where she underwent no less than 350 procedures and around 6 surgeries. In 2012, she received a heart transplant. However, about a year after, she died.
Her parents, Mark and Stacee, as well as their many friends and people who were touched by her ordeal, didn't want her to die in vain. Before she passed away, her parents started pushing for a state law that would make a birth screening test mandatory. The pulse oximetry is a very simple and fast procedure that requires only attaching sensors of a newborn's finger to generate results. But the data that can be obtained by the test can determine whether the child has a congenital defect affect the lungs or the heart since it registers blood oxygen level. A simple test such as this cost less than $15.
Currently, about 3% of newborn babies develop a birth defect. These defects are responsible for 20% of infant mortality in the United States.
After the law became official in August 2012, over 12 kids had already been diagnosed with heart conditions. Around 5 suffer from serious heart problems while others had minor heart conditions and lung issues. The couple is now working closely with the American Heart Association (AHA)to help raise funds for treatment and research.
Last September 27, the AHA chapter in Alabama organized a heart walk that spanned about 5 kilometers. It hopes to bring awareness of the various heart conditions in the state, including stroke and hypertension, as well as raise funds.
