Hi, my name is Drake Sauls (PDGA #34432), and I'm almost 4 years old.  I have 3 sisters, a dog, 17 monster trucks, and a mended heart.  When I was born, I was in big trouble.  The doctors told my Mom and Dad that if my heart condition wasn't corrected, I wouldn't see my first birthday.  They said I had "Transposition of the Great Arteries", but that it was fixable.  "Fixable, like putting the rubber tire back on my monster truck?" I asked.  "Exactly," they responded.

 

They said I was going to stay in the P.C.I.C.U. clinic at MUSC for a while until I healed.  It's an area designated for babies born with heart conditions ("blue babies").  My mind bounced around like a butterfly in a tornado.  How in the world are they going to operate on me?  I only weigh six pounds!  How do they know what they're doing?  Who paid for the research?  Who's paying for all this fancy equipment?  Why do they want to save my life? 

 

As all these thoughts bounced around my head, I heard someone say three words that will forever change my life:  "American Heart Association".

 

Apparently someone you know, someone you met, or possibly even you yourself, made a donation to the American Heart Association at some point in time.  The money helped research, study, diagnose, correct, and educate America against its #1 killer, heart disease.  Without it, I wouldn't be here today, growing up on a disc golf course.  So I've decided that now it's my turn to help.  With my Dad and Uncle, I'm raising money for the American Heart Association that someday will be used to save a life.  I'm having a 1-day disc golf tournament on October 9th, with the hope to raise over $1,000.  Our idea is that $14 out of each registration, times 72 players, will do it.  So please help us fill and reach our goal.  If you can't make it, please consider a small donation to the AHA in my honor, either through the tournament or by visiting my site at Midlands Heartwalk..

 

Thanks,

 

Drake Sauls

Stoney Hill Disc Golf Course