Athletes for Hearts, Inc.
Athletes for Hearts, Inc. was created to provide financial assistance to families with children in need of medical treatment specific to a heart condition and to fund advancements in medical technology for the treatment of heart disease, with a special emphasis on heart conditions affecting children.
MacKenzie Overton, a 13 year-old St. Pete Beach, Florida resident and avid fastpitch softball player, is a shining example of how kids with life threatening heart conditions can live productive and full lives with the proper medical care.
MacKenzie, diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome at birth, received a heart transplant on the 17th day of her young life. With no chance for survival prior to her transplant, MacKenzie now competes athletically, leads a normal and productive pre-teen life, and is an inspiration for any family with a child faced with a heart condition. READ MORE...
Mac and Michele Smith
Athletes for Hearts is proud to announce its funding of a very exciting pediatric cardiology stem cell research project. AFH's recently contributed $22,000 to underwrite much of the project's cost for 2008. To learn more about this excellent project, CLICK HERE to see a short video overview.
A special thanks to all the world-class athletes who will join us in 2009. You'll meet top female athletes Taryne Mowatt (2-time ESPY Winner & Female Athlete of the Year in 2007), Callista Balko (2-Time WCWS's Champion as an Arizona Wildcat) and Softball Olympians Michele Smith, Caitlin Lowe & Kelly Kretschman plus Henry Lawrence, Ken Griffey Sr, Daryl "Dutch" Daulton, Deion Sanders, Tony Esposito, Daryl Strawberry, Ricky Reynolds, Jay Feaster - former TB Lightning GM, Jim Hickey - Rays Pitching Coach and TB Rays pitchers to be announced. CLICK HERE to see all of our 2009 supporters.
Athletes for Hearts got some recent national television coverage during the 2008 Women's College World Series Softball Tournament thanks to Michele Smith, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and ESPN Softball Color Commentator, CLICK HERE to see Our Recent ESPN Coverage
