A TexasHigh schoolStudent has died due to a medical complication she suffered while attending a cheer camp in College Station, her family said.
Callie Marie Mitchell, 16, wasĀ found unresponsive in her bed at camp and later was pronounced dead, on Aug. 1, according to KHOU-TV.
Mitchellās mother, Michelle Donahue, recalled the moment she realized something was wrong. Mitchellās coach called the mom and said, āāHey, does Callie have a problem waking up in the morning?ā And I said, āNo, never.'ā
The coach performed CPR on Mitchell until the teen was ultimately airlifted to Texas Childrenās Hospital in Houston.
āIf it wasnāt for Eberly, we would have never had the chance to say goodbye,ā Donahue said.
Donahue added that her daughter was excited about attending cheer camp, as she had been involved with cheerleading since she was 2.
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Scott Donahue, Mitchellās father, told KHOU he believes his daughter suffered cardiac arrest as a result of Long QT syndrome.
The Mayo Clinic describes the syndrome as āa heart signaling disorder that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeatsā and sudden fainting as well as seizures.
Mitchellās parents issued a warning for everyone with children, KHOU reported.
āFor any other parents out there, you know they do physicals every year ⦠EKGs are not part of a physical ⦠get an EKG,ā as it can help detect if someone has an underlying heart condition.
The 16-year-old was described in her obituary as having a strong connection to religion.Ā She attended St. Markās Lutheran Church in Houston and āfound solace in her faith.ā
āCallie had a unique connection with time and would make a wish at 11:11 a.m., trusting in the magic of the moment,ā the obituary read. āAt church, she was the spirited teenager who always insisted on the front row, reflecting her strong Faith and commitment to her beliefs.
āShe adorned her car, āFaith,ā with a cross hanging from the mirror, symbolizing her unwavering devotion.ā
KHOU reported, āShe took a stand for what she believedā as her parents said they want their daughter to be remembered for what she last wrote on social media: āHis plan, over mine.ā
āMore than anything, she would want them to have Faith in God and know that they are redeemed,ā Michelle Donahue said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
