September 7, 2022, started like any other day. Alyssa was running late, and her dad and I were rushing her along so we could get to work and she wouldn’t miss the bus. It was the start of her freshman year, and she was still adjusting to the early mornings and cross-country practice after school. The last thing I said before walking out the door was, “Don’t forget your sneakers—and don’t miss the bus.”

At 4:45 p.m., I got a call that shook me to my core. Brian Dorn, one of the athletic trainers, told me Alyssa had collapsed during practice. She had no pulse, no respiration, and they were life-flighting her. They weren’t sure yet if she’d be flown to CHOP. Numbly, I put down the phone and walked away. My boss came to get me—they needed more information. I was told Alyssa was “stable and talking,” but I couldn’t comprehend those words through the fog.

My husband called next. They were taking her to Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown. My coworkers drove me 25 miles to meet the helicopter. I arrived before she did—and when I finally saw her awake and sassy in the PICU, just being Alyssa, I’ve never felt more relief in my life.

It took 36 hours to find the cause: AAOLCA (Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Left Coronary Artery)—a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect where the left coronary artery originates from the wrong place on the aorta. It can cut off blood flow to the heart, especially during exertion. That’s exactly what happened to Alyssa.

Within hours, she was transferred to Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York for emergency open-heart surgery. The procedure went well, but the way her life was saved is something we’ll never forget.

Five incredible people—and Janet’s Law—made all the difference. Alyssa collapsed during hill sprints, right in front of her coaches. Her women’s team captain, Bridget McGrath, ran to get help while Coach Katie, who had just renewed her CPR certification the week before, began hands-free CPR. The men’s team captain, Rich McDonald, sprinted for the AED. Coach Fisher called 911. And Brian Dorn, the head of cardiac emergency response, arrived almost immediately. He attached the AED pads and administered one shock, followed by a few more compressions. And then… Alyssa came back.

A year later, Alyssa rejoined the cross-country team. Today, she runs all three seasons—cross country, indoor, and outdoor track—and is training to compete at the NCAA level.

We never leave the house—or hang up the phone—without saying, “I love you.” Because we’ve learned how fast life can change… and how deeply grateful we are for the people who stepped in and for the strength Alyssa continues to show every single day.