by Bridget Bressette, Senior Class Reporter
A normal heart compared to a heart with myocarditis (Photo from Rayur.com)
There are countless well known heart diseases that affect millions of people every year. However, there are also many less well known diseases that negatively impact hundreds of thousands of families every year. Having a mystery heart disease is one of the most terrifying things that can happen to a family. Myocarditis is one of those mystery diseases.
The cause of myocarditis remains widely unknown. The disease is marked by the inflammation and damage of the heart muscles and can have long term detrimental health effects. The inflammation leads to a reduction in the heart’s pumping system and to irregular heart rhythms. If the disease becomes severe, the pumping systems of the heart weaken, resulting in a lack of blood circulation throughout the body. Complications of this disease include heart failure and even sudden death.
I was lucky enough to attend a fundraiser for myocarditis last June in New York. The disease has affected a family friend’s son who is only 12 years old. This disease is affecting other young, unsuspecting people, and there is no identified cure yet.
This disease remains a mystery to many people; and consequently, there is a severe lack of funding for research. Hopefully a solution will be discovered soon! High schools across the United States have been particularly active in raising money for the Myocarditis Foundation in memory of fellow students or relatives who have passed away due to myocarditis. By selling old t-shirts, wristbands, charity school dance tickets, and baked goods, dozens of schools have raised over $200 each! Will Sturgis be the next to contribute to this worthy cause? Be on the lookout for upcoming fundraisers for myocarditis awareness!
If you are interested in donating or getting involved with the foundation for this disease, you can visit: http://www.myocarditisfoundation.org/donate-now/
The cause of myocarditis remains widely unknown. The disease is marked by the inflammation and damage of the heart muscles and can have long term detrimental health effects. The inflammation leads to a reduction in the heart’s pumping system and to irregular heart rhythms. If the disease becomes severe, the pumping systems of the heart weaken, resulting in a lack of blood circulation throughout the body. Complications of this disease include heart failure and even sudden death.
I was lucky enough to attend a fundraiser for myocarditis last June in New York. The disease has affected a family friend’s son who is only 12 years old. This disease is affecting other young, unsuspecting people, and there is no identified cure yet.
This disease remains a mystery to many people; and consequently, there is a severe lack of funding for research. Hopefully a solution will be discovered soon! High schools across the United States have been particularly active in raising money for the Myocarditis Foundation in memory of fellow students or relatives who have passed away due to myocarditis. By selling old t-shirts, wristbands, charity school dance tickets, and baked goods, dozens of schools have raised over $200 each! Will Sturgis be the next to contribute to this worthy cause? Be on the lookout for upcoming fundraisers for myocarditis awareness!
If you are interested in donating or getting involved with the foundation for this disease, you can visit: http://www.myocarditisfoundation.org/donate-now/
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