Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States. Nearly one of every 110 babies is born with a CHD.

Our son Nick was born on June 12, 1999 with a congenital heart defect.  On June 13th our pediatrician came into our room and told us that she wanted to have a cardiologist consult to listen to the murmur she was hearing.    I remember the first thing that the cardiologist told us.....he said that "Nick would be OK."  He also told us that Nick was born with a congential heart defect called Pulmonary Valve Stenosis.  Dr John Stock, who would ultimately become Nick's lifelong heart doctor, told us a lot that day but to be honest I don't remember any of it.  All I heard was that Nick had a birth defect and naturally, like any parent would be, I was scared.  One month later Nick underwent a balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty to open the narrowing of his pulmonary valve.  I will never forget the feeling of helplessness when they wheeled Nick into the OR.    The procedure was a success. 

We have been very fortunate.  Nick's stenosis was mild and has remained stable since, and compared to some others, his is one of the more treatable heart defects.  He never had any limitations growing up.  In fact on November 2, 2025 Nick ran the NYC Marathon for Team CHF!   I remember reading the bios of the other runners on last year's team and being amazed at their stories.   His team raised over $75K for CHF. 

I will be 59 years old on race day.  This will be my first marathon.  It will be a challenge.  I won't finish faster than Nick but I will do my best.      More importantly, however, is that I will raise money for CHF.  And that money will go directly to fund research in the hope that someday every other parent hears what we heard....that their child will be ok.

Drew Buccino

Father of Heart Warrior and Marathon Finisher Nick

Go to www.ChildrensHeartFoundation.org for more information about CHD.