This story is about a local family, the Silva’s, who lost their 7 year old son Aidan just under 1 year ago.  I’m usually the first one to say that athletes should not be our heroes or role models, mostly because the media is quick to report on their transgressions, while so many of these… See More

By Julie Muhlstein, Herald Columnist Nick Varrenti loved football. He wore No. 58. To sport his team spirit, Nick wore tall blue football socks every day to school. In 2004, over Labor Day weekend, the 16-year-old played his last game. He breathed his last breath. Nicholas Dwain Varrenti died on Sept. 6, 2004, of sudden… See More

A Valley mother hopes her loss will help other parents become more aware of potential health issues in their children. For Christine Puricelli the death of her daughter Emilie has left a void in her life. Christine Puricelli - video

Emilie Purcelli Each year an estimated 325,000 people die in the United States from sudden cardiac arrest. The Heart Rhythm Society estimates about 7,000 of these deaths involve children and infants.  On Aug. 30, 1997, my seemingly healthy 22-year-old daughter, Emilie, died suddenly in her sleep from sudden cardiac arrest. We immediately began to ask… See More

 Measure in Memory of Andrew Helgeson, Who Was High School Senior When He Died from SCA on May 25, 2005 Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed May 25, 2010 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Day in Maryland in memory of Andrew Helgeson, who died from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) five years ago at age 18.   Described as… See More

3:00 PM Wed, Feb 10, 2010 | Nancy Churnin – Reporter Bio Autumn Reo of Arlington wants to raise awareness of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week this week to help kids like her son Jackson. Valentine’s Day means so much to me and my loved ones. For one, I met my husband many years ago… See More

“I knew that babies could be born with all sorts of problems, including heart defects” Mandy recalled.  But what she didn’t know was how many babies are born with heart defects; how many children don’t survive; the endless journey of doctors, medication and surgery.  “Nor did I know the significant impact it has on the entire family.  I… See More

  By REID CHAMPAGNE • Special to The News Journal • February 4, 2010 In 2004, Christina Bennett, then a seventh-grade student at F. Niel Postlethwait Middle School in Camden, had just finished her gym class, where she admitted she had “overdone it.” Climbing to the top of a set of stairs after the class,… See More