VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The American Heart Association has selected a 5th grader from New Castle Elementary School in Virginia Beach as its local youth heart ambassador.
Ten-year-old Abby Larsen was born with blue lips due to a rare heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. The defect causes four heart problems that affect the structure of the heart. It blocked blood flow from her heart to her lungs, causing the blue-gray coloring.
Abby’s parents actually found out she had it when her mom, Cindy, was pregnant with her, so Abby has been seeing specialists since before she was born.
“She’s been really lucky because we were really scared that she was going to have a ton of restrictions,” Cindy Larsen said.
There’s pretty much nothing Abby can’t do. She had two open heart surgeries before her first birthday. She now plays volleyball, takes Jujitsu classes and can even ride a roller coaster.
“So far, the heart is looking good and stable and sound, but at any point we might have to go in and replace the valve,” Cindy Larsen said.
Abby said she doesn’t want another surgery, and who could blame her?
“I used to think that I wouldn’t have to have another one,” Abby said. “And then one day I found out I’d have to have another one. I kind of like, freaked out a bit about that.”
She will need to have that valve replaced at some point in her late teens or early adult life. It’s part of her story.
“I really like sharing my story,” Abby said.
It propelled her to become an American Heart Association ambassador.
She recently practiced hands-on CPR at Harbor Park, where the AHA and Norfolk Tides teamed up for Life Saver Day.
Soon, she will be helping her classmates realize the importance of living heart-healthy lives through the Kids Heart Challenge.
“We talk about physical health, mental health,” said Jaylyn Brown with the American Heart Association of Hampton Roads. “The kids learn the FAST acronym, which is when you are noticing somebody that’s having a stroke and then they also learn hands-only CPR as well.”
Abby will be helping students get active, have fun and raise money to support heart health and longer lives for everyone.
Schools interested in participating in either Kids Heart Challenge or American Heart Challenge can register now for the 2024-2025 school year. More information about the Youth Heart Ambassadors can be found at heart.org/youthambassadors.