Local Spotlight:
Mended Hearts Volunteer Henrietta Rapp
Ten years ago, Henrietta Rapp leaned over to get her newspaper. When she stood up, her world was spinning, her breath was short and sweat was dripping off her like she had just gotten out of the shower. She told her husband she thought she was having a heart attack and to call 911.
Although her world went black, she could hear the paramedics' attempts to keep her alert and stabilized as they rushed her to Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "The care I received at Desert Springs Hospital was unbelievable," said Rapp.
Today, Rapp is alive and well. She had a defibrillator implanted in 2001 that has added to her improved health. Along with her commitment to her family, what really keeps her going is the inspiration she provides to other cardiac patients.
"Every day is a gift," Rapp said. "You have to pay it forward." That's why she has been a Mended Hearts volunteer for eight years. In this role, she helps cardiac patients by listening, answering questions and empathizing with their anxiety and concerns.
"I can answer questions based on my experience and help educate them about what to expect or even what a scar might look like over time," she said. "It's rewarding for me, too, because I get to meet these people and offer encouragement and support."
Rapp is also the chairperson for accredited visitors, which means she teaches others how to become a Mended Hearts volunteer in the hospital setting.
"We want patients to know they aren't alone and that there are support groups available," Rapp said. For information on Mended Hearts, please visit www.mendedhearts.org or call the American Heart Association at
