Fuchs has Heart of a Champion

Friday, November 18, 2016
North Putnam Middle School student Lexi Fuchs (center) receives the Riley Champion award from the Riley Children’s Foundation. Fuchs received a heart transplant in February.
Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam Middle School student Lexi Fuchs, 11, of Roachdale, has been named a 2017 Riley Champion by Riley Children’s Foundation.

Asked how she felt about receiving the award, Lexi said, “I’m ecstatic. I’m trying to work on my vocabulary. I knew I usually end up feeling a lot better sooner than the doctors say I will. I knew if I pushed myself I’d get better.”

Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Lexi experienced four open-heart surgeries and one pacemaker before receiving a transplant in February.

She returned home just two weeks later, and has since embraced the new energy that’s come with her new heart by joining the swim team and serving on the student council and school newspaper. She is also a 4-H member and active in her church.

“It’s exciting to see the energy that she has,” Rexanne Fuchs, Lexi’s mother, said.

The Riley Champions program is presented by Kroger and honors patients from Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health who have inspired communities with their bravery and commitment to help others depsite overcoming medical challenges. The children become advocates for Riley by sharing their stories and participating in special events throughout the year.

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