Bella Vista, Arkansas – In a heartwarming display of support, healthcare company Abbott has teamed up with NFL player Damar Hamlin, former linebacker Tedy Bruschi, and 17-year-old MacKenzie Maddry to create the Abbott Heartmates Draft Day. This event brings together 11 people who have faced serious heart conditions, with the aim of providing encouragement and solidarity to others in similar situations.
Maddry, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14, later experienced chemo-induced heart failure. She spent over three months in a hospital in Little Rock before becoming the first pediatric patient to be released using an LVAD (a device that supports the heart). Maddry expressed her gratitude for the LVAD, which enabled her to celebrate her 17th birthday and stated her desire to get back on the heart transplant list after being bumped off due to a leg surgery. She hopes to become a pediatric nurse and has found solace in playing the ukulele during her hospital stay.
The Abbott Heartmates Draft Day represents a unique initiative to unite individuals who have faced heart conditions and offer support to others who may be going through similar challenges. This event showcases the power of resilience, determination, and solidarity in the face of adversity, as demonstrated by Maddry and other participants.
