Brenton Atcheson

CRANBERRY TWP — Each year, about 36,000 babies are born with a heart defect. In fact, nearly four times as many children die from congenital heart defects as from all forms of childhood cancers combined.

Also, about 16 percent of all children and teens in American are overweight, about four times as many as in 1965.

For these reasons, a special "Learn and Live" appeal will be made at the Beaver-Butler Heart Ball to improve and protect the health of children. This appeal aims to raise funds to help children live stronger, more active lives.

The ball will be March 7 at the Four Points Sheraton Pittsburgh North, according to an American Heart Association news release.

As part of the appeal, 16 year-old heart survivor Brenton Atcheson will share his story. He was born with a hypoplastic right ventricle. Hypoplasia refers to an underdevelopment of a cardiovascular structure.

As a result, he underwent two surgeries, one at 6 months old and the other at 2Z\x.

"My first surgery was to band my pulmonary arteries, so that my lung function was preserved. The second open heart surgery was to repair the right ventricle to get the most function possible out of it," Brenton said in the news release.

"I still have defects that have not been fully repaired. I may need more surgeries to fix them, and if any further problems occur, I may need a heart transplant."

Today, thanks in part to the American Heart Association, Brenton is healthy and active. He is a golfer, skier and plays baseball.

Signature sponsors of the Beaver-Butler Heart Ball are the Heart & Vascular Center of Butler Memorial Hospital and the Heritage Valley Health System.

Other sponsors include Med-Fast; Boston Scientific Cardiac Rhythm Management; Tri-State Medical Group — Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery; Tri-State Total Vein Care Center; First Energy; Heart & Vascular Center — Beaver, Wexford, Culcutta, and Ellwood City; Kindred Hospitals of Pittsburgh; MEDRAD; Medtronic; the Michael Baker Corp.; the Tomayko Group; and St. Jude Medical.

Reservations are required. Individual tickets are $150, and table sponsorships for 10 seats are available for $3,000.

For reservations or information on the heart ball and/or how to become a sponsor, contact Barbara Roth or Stacey Keating at the American Heart Association at 724-775-2447 or 724-287-1823.