I would like to share my 12 year old daughter's story. This year's race is special to my daughter (and her family) because she spent a short stay at the Mott Children's Hospital @ U of M last December 2008. This will be the 3rd year Amanda and I have run the 5k Big House race. She started running with me in September 2004. Unbeknownst to us at the time, Amanda was born with an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD - hole in the heart). Since 2004, she has run in 68 road races and placed in 48 of them (59 with the hole in her heart). It was during the August Junior Olympics in 2008 when we were informed of this defect.

Like most parents, many concerns crossed our minds - very scary ones and many guilty ones. She, of course, wanted to continue living her life as she'd always known; I wasn't sure if I was supposed to halt all these extra activities that were causing her heart to work harder and pump blood where it wasn't supposed to go. We opted to let her live her live to its fullest whatever age.

Luckily for Amanda, doctors were able to complete the procedure without the actual open heart surgery. She had a dime size hole in the "wall" separating the two top chambers, also causing her right bottom ventricle to be enlarged. The employees at the Mott Children's Hospital were AWESOME and we couldn't have asked for better care. For as busy as they were on the heart floor with all ages, we were treated like we were the only patients they had. Really.

She was happy to run this race in the past and think that a portion of her money was helping others. Now, after herself being one of those others, it's a little more personal this year.

She did not let this defect alter her goals. A slight setback, yes, but so far this year, she's run in 9 races and placed in 8 and is running cross country for school. As a parent, I will probably not stop asking her if she feels all right.

Thank you for supporting such great causes. It means so much to people.

Vicki & Amanda George, proud runners of the Big House Big Heart race