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Thursday, May 10, 2007, Sarah fainted at school. She was taken to a local ER & then transported to Phoenix Children's Hospital with a diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy.
July 5, 2007 Sarah received her new heart. However, during the transplant she suffered a massive stroke that left her paralyzed.
►Click here to read Sarah's journey.
Fundraiser to aid heart checks for youths
Fundraiser to aid heart checks for youths
Sara Drew
staff writer
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Sarah Scarletto-Nolte couldn't prevent her heart transplant, but she could have postponed the operation.
In May 2007, Sarah fainted three times on the Westview High School campus, where she was a student. She was rushed to the hospital and eventually diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy.
The same condition killed her birth father three years before Sarah was diagnosed.
In July 2007, Sarah, of Avondale, received a new heart from a donor. However, during the operation she suffered a major stroke that left her immediately paralyzed on her left side.
Today, she's walking, talking and crushing on the Jonas Brothers, just like any other 17-year-old.
But she's also leading efforts to raise money for teens to receive heart checks during high school sports physicals.
Such a test could have alerted her to her own heart condition, said Margaret Nolte, Sarah's mother.
"What happened to Sarah could have been prevented," she said. "She would have eventually needed a heart transplant, but it could have been prolonged, prevented for 10 to 15 years with medication."
To help raise money for heart tests, a car show is being held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Westview High School, 10850 W. Garden Lakes Parkway in Avondale.
It will feature more than 50 cars, trucks and motorcycles, entertainment, food and prizes. Donations will be accepted toward the heart checks.
Organizers don't have an estimate for when the heart tests could come to local high schools, Nolte said.
The program needs at least $5,000 to start up in one high school, she said.
"We want to start raising money to bring it to Westview and all the high schools, not only for the sports physicals but a healthy heart check. We're trying to raise money so kids don't have to," Nolte said.
Last year, Nolte and Sarah organized a similar car show that raised $2,500. Some of those proceeds went to pay for medical bills. Organizers are hoping more money is raised this year.
Sara Drew can be reached by e-mail at sdrew@westvalleyview.com.
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