​Protecting Children and Youth from Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Seven year old, Molly Dunne, was diagnosed with severe Pulmonary Hypertension after collapsing on her first day of kindergarten in September 2010. She had a long, difficult journey. A few days after she collapsed, she went into cardiac arrest and was placed on ECMO (heart-lung bypass). She was then flown from Delaware to Pittsburgh, PA and became the 2nd child in the U.S. to be placed on an artificial lung, called a Novalung. She remained on the Novalung for 25 days. During that time we learned Molly suffered a significant brain injury. We were told she may never see, walk, talk or do anything like a normal child again. We also found out that her Pulmonary Hypertension was due to Hereditary Hemorraghic Telangiectasia (HHT) which is a genetic condition that causes malformations in blood vessels. She was in rehab therapy for 17 months and eventually was walking with the help of a walker, saying a few words and most definitely seeing everything around her. She made amazing strides in her recovery. Unfortunately, in February 2012, we learned that her Pulmonary Hypertension had progressed. She was in heart failure and her lungs had gotten very sick. She was not eligible for transplant and we began working with Palliative Care to try and make whatever time she had left the best it could be.  Molly passed away on May 17, 2012.

Molly Dunne, Wilmington, DE