Announcing Medtronic Global Heroes Team 2012

Global heroes

Extraordinary Runners from Around the World Complete Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Events with Help from Medical Technology
 

Twenty-five runners representing nine countries will be recognized as Medtronic Global Heroes when they run the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or TC 10 Mile on October 7.

Team members were selected from 220 applications received from 26 countries and include:

  • a reality TV star/lifeguard from Australia recovered from a broken neck,
  • a 15-year old boy with cerebral palsy from the United States, and
  • twin sisters from Brazil with insulin pumps

The Medtronic Global Heroes program celebrates athletes who run with the help of medical technology. While their stories, running abilities and goals may vary, each Global Hero brings inspiration to the starting line. By sharing these stories, others can cheer the accomplishment, or take action in their own lives. Global Heroes is a cooperative effort between the Twin Cities in Motion and the Medtronic Foundation. Read their stories by visiting www.medtronic.com/globalheroes/our_heroes.

Additional information about the program can be found on Medtronic's Global Heroes website.

Visit the Medtronic Global Heroes Facebook page.

The 2012 Medtronic Global Heroes are:

Marathon Participants

  • Daniela Arantes, São Paulo, Brazil, has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
  • Gabriela Arantes, São Paulo, Brazil, has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
  • Terry Baransy, San Francisco, California, has a heart valve replacement to facilitate blood flow.
  • Anna Gilabert Escorsa, Barcelona, Spain, has an intrathecal baclofen drug pump to help treat spasticity caused by a spinal cord injury.
  • Susan Filler, Boise, Idaho, has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Rhonda Foulds, Justin, Texas, has deep brain stimulation to help manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
  • Patrick Grayson, San Antonio, Texas, has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Torbjørn Harstad, Bødalen, Norway, has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
  • Lance Purdon, Harrison, Australia, has a pacemaker to treat sick sinus syndrome.
  • Don Soule, Rosemount, Minnesota, has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.
  • Howard Staples, West Wareham, Massachusetts, has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.

Ten Mile Participants

  • Haley Beal, Bend, Oregon, has a pacemaker to treat arrhythmia caused by heart block.
  • Erin Clark, Edgewood, Kentucky, has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Kobi Graham, Sydney, Australia, has a spinal and bone fusion device to aid recovery from a broken neck.
  • Etzion Harel, Kvutzat Yavne, Israel, has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
  • Patricia Hackett, Walkerville, South Africa, has a deep brain stimulator to help manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
  • Robert Holdway, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, has a pacemaker to treat sinus node dysfunction.
  • Patrick Johnson, Ormond Beach, Florida, had a heart valve repair implanted to treat mitral valve disease.
  • Caroline Musilek, Vienna, Austria, has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Tommy Neal, Colorado Springs, Colorado, has an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to manage diabetes.
  • Dave Nevins, Sitka, Alaska, has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
  • Céline Parent, St. Catharines, Ontario, has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
  • Linda Shaw, Sylvania, Ohio, has a pacemaker and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
  • Matthew Taylor, Baldwin, Florida, has an intrathecal baclofen drug pump to treat muscle spasticity due to cerebral palsy.
  • Ellie Wilhelm, Arnold, Missouri, has a pacemaker to treat a heart disease.