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Heart of a champion

FONDA, Iowa (KTIV) - You didn't need to tell Lauren Devereaux the odds. Up against life changing circumstances, she still knew how to beat them.

Competition drives this four sport athlete from Newell Fonda high school. Still, she never thought she would have to compete...against herself. At the beginning of track season, she had trouble breathing. She headed to children's hospital in Omaha. She thought she had pnemonia or bronchitis, and was surprised to find out she suffered from something far worse. Doctors diagnosed Lauren with Giant Cell Miocarditis, which causes rapid heart deterioration.

"When they told me I had giant cell, it shocked me because I didn't think it was going to be that, and I was scared," said Lauren Devereaux, Newell-Fonda Senior.

"No pun intended here but heart stopping for us. To think that here she is, 17 and healthy," said Melissa Devereaux, Mother.

Lauren was immediately put on the heart donor list. Less than a day later, the family says, they experienced a miracle.

"And then on Wednesday morning at seven o'clock, they came in and told me they had a heart," said Lauren Devereaux.

From there she moved to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Being a close knit family, their faith and strength never waivered.

"As we left her to go to the operating room, there were no goodbyes, it was we'll see you when you wake up," said Melissa Devereaux.

After four hours of waiting, this competitor emerged victorious from the operating room. She's recuperating and must take her daily dose of medicine. But, Lauren says the experience hasn't changed her.

"I don't think it's going to affect me so I'm a different person. I'm the same person before I went into surgery," said Lauren Devereaux.

Lauren's family looks at her as a role model, and hopes she's ready to open her heart to new challenges.

"We want you to go out there and live, and we want you to show other people that you can live," said Melissa Devereaux.

Which she'll be able to do, because she has the heart of a champion.

Lauren intends to "practice what she preaches" too.

Depending on her recovery period, she'll suit up to defend her softball championship with Newell-Fonda.

She also plans take the mound at Waldorf College in Forest City in the fall.

More than a thousand people showed their support for Lauren at a dinner benefit on Saturday.

The Freedom Quilters also presented Lauren with a quilt, signed by everyone at the event.

All the money raised will go towards the Devereaux's medical expenses.

"We have tremendous support from the community. Pople have stopped me on the street and said 'What can I do for you Natalie?" says Natalie Kelly, Benefit Organizer. 

If you would like to make a donation to the Devereaux family, you can send your money to the Newell or Fonda branch of First Community Bank.