Eagles' Fletcher Cox Makes Dream Come True For Heart Patient
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- 15-year-old Russell Drzik just had heart surgery at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia early Friday morning. A successful surgery has also ended in a dream come true. He'll be attending the Eagles-Saints wildcard playoff game tonight at Lincoln Financial Field thanks to Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
Last week, SportsRadio 94WIP held a contest directing listeners to make a banner saying "94WIP I need Eagles Playoff tickets" and hang it – without breaking any laws - where station spotters could find it. The banners were later judged for creativity and visibility.
Drzik of Moorestown, New Jersey sent an entry from his hospital room. But unfortunately, his banner could not be chosen as a winner because of the contest's age restrictions.
Fletcher Cox caught word of the situation and generously donated a pair of tickets so that Russell could attend the game.
Russell's father Kevin Drzik spoke to WIP.
"Russell is certainly thankful to all at WIP and of course Fletcher Cox for the opportunity to attend the game," he said. "Post surgery, Russell was required to lay flat for six hours. During this time, he found out about the recognition of his Eagles banner and the game tickets being provided by Fletcher Cox and 94WIP to which he responded 'awesome, this is amazing, I cannot believe it.' He was released from the hospital today after an amazing experience with the doctors, nurses and staff at CHOP topped off with this great gesture of kindness by the 94WIP family and Fletcher Cox. His doctors cleared him to be able to attend the game. Fly Eagles Fly!"
Russell experienced heart arrhythmias that took his heart rate up to 220-240 beats per minute. Stress tests were performed at CHOP to determine what type and how serious the arrhythmia proved to be. After an attempt to control Russell's condition with heart medicine failed, doctors determined that surgery was the best course of action for him.
While in pre-op, Russell, with the help of his nurses and other hospital staff, put together his Eagles banner entry for the contest.
Four long hours later, Russell came out of surgery and the CHOP doctors indicated it was a success.
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