The Medtronic Foundation recently donated $1,000 to the Adult Congenital Heart Association on behalf of Medtronic Global Hero Mike Nall, who supports heart-related missions. Nall has a stent to treat coronary artery disease and was chosen by the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon to be part of its 2011 class of 25 Global Heroes, after a worldwide search for runners whose lives have been improved with the help of medical devices.
A resident of Mentor, Ohio, Nall had never run more than four miles at one time prior to his heart attack in July of 2000. Following his heart attack and placement of a stent, Michael began a quest to improve his health and lifestyle. Three years later, he finished his first five-mile race. The following year, he ran a ten-mile race. Now, he competes in races across the country.
In 2010, Michael was instrumental in starting the Heart Education And Rehabilitation Team (H.E.A.R.T), a nonprofit organization committed to educating people about heart conditions and helping them maximize their athletic potential. His message through H.E.A.R.T. is that heart problems are not the end of the road, just the beginning.
Each Global Hero received paid entry into the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile race on October 2, 2011. Nall ran the Medtronic TC 10 Mile, finishing in 1:36:09.
Out-of-town honorees also received a spending allowance to help cover travel, lodging and meal expenses. As part of the Global Heroes program, the Medtronic Foundation donates $1,000 to a nonprofit patient organization on behalf of each runner.
For more information on the program, click here or email mtcm.globalheroes@medtronic.com.