As a teen, Mike Papale had one dream: to play college basketball. He was laser-focused-training like an Olympic hopeful to make his dream reality. Out of nowhere, his world changed. August 24, 2006, while coaching a summer camp basketball game, he slumped over, unresponsive, turning blue within minutes. He was 17, and had gone into cardiac arrest. With no AED on site, he was given a one in a million chance to survive.
He was soon diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, or HCM, which, left undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. At the time, he was crushed-processing the life-altering news he would never be able to play competitive basketball again. He quickly realized he was fortunate to be alive, and redefined his life's purpose.
A Big Heart brings the reader on Mike's story of reinvention, hope, and survival. It is guaranteed to inspire readers to battle adversity and attack their dreams!