It was a beautiful February morning, sunny and unseasonably mild. Stephanie Hulke, her twin sister Christine and two friends were hiking. All four were college soccer teammates and in seemingly good health. A half-mile from the end of their hike, Christine passed out. Stephanie and her friend ran for help, but were too late. Christine died of cardiac arrest, resulting from a congenital heart disease called Long QT Syndrome.

The tragedy led doctors to examine Stephanie, who also tested positive for Long QT Syndrome. Before she came to Morristown Memorial, her doctors advised her to stop playing sports. At Morristown Memorial Hospital, her doctors were determined to find a course of treatment that would minimize the effect that Long QT would have on her life. An implantable defibrillator would let her continue with athletics. A cardiac surgeon was brought in to place it in her side instead of on her heart to protect the unit—and avoid an unseemly scar on her chest. At 20 years old, her doctors wanted to save her life and let her live it to the fullest.

Stephanie played soccer for the remainder of her collegiate career. Now, four years later, she’s completed a triathlon. She shares her story with other young people with Long QT, spreading the message that they too can live normal lives. “In many ways, my sister saved my life,” Stephanie says. “She really pushes me to continue.”