THE GOSSIP - Scooter's big night, life-saving surgery and hiking night

THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM BOLIVIA RECEIVED LIFE-SAVING SURGERY AT NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - Three-year-old Nicolas (Nico) Sempertegui, was born with a complex congenital heart condition. He had multiple ventricular septal defects (VSD), an uncommon type of congenital heart defect, which leaves openings in his septum between the two lower chambers of the heart that can lead to life-limiting damage to the lungs and heart over time.

Unfortunately, Nico’s home country of Bolivia was unable to provide the care he needed. To help, Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization, brought Nicolas to Nationwide Children’s Hospital where a successful operation was performed on May 16 repairing his heart condition back to a normal heart thereby eliminating any damage to his lungs or limitations to his life.

“We fully expect that Nico, like many children who have corrective surgery for their congenital heart disease, will live a normal, healthy life,” said Mark Galantowicz, MD, chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and co-director of The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's.

Samaritan’s Purse’s Children’s Heart Project arranged for Nico, his grandmother and an interpreter to stay with a host family in Galloway. With their help, Nico was able to receive the proper medical attention and is expected to return home on June 12 to Bolivia happy and healthy.

“We are passionate about helping children like Nico who have no hope of receiving treatment without the help of a North American hospital,” said Cindy Bonsall, director of Children’s Heart Project. “We are thankful to Nationwide Children’s, Nicolas’ host family and Cypress Church who partnered with Samaritan’s Purse and volunteered their time to give Nico a chance to live a healthy life.”

HIKE THE DIKES AT MAGEE MARSH  WILDLIFE AREA - Walkers, birders, and wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in the Hike the Dikes program at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Hikes take place the second Saturday of each month June through September according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The Hike the Dikes program is free and open to all ages and interest levels, and provides opportunities to explore the natural wonders of Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. All walks are led by a trained and knowledgeable guide. Participants will learn about local wildlife such as birds, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies and marsh mammals, as well as, wetland plants and more.

Hike the Dikes is a partnership program between ODNR Division of Wildlife – Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Each walk is hosted by one of the partner agencies. Hike dates for 2017 include June 10, July 8, Aug. 12 and Sept. 9.