Former North Dakota State University (NDSU) basketball player Claire Stern has announced her retirement from the sport due to a serious genetic heart condition. The unexpected diagnosis has left both Stern and her supporters grappling with the profound implications of her health challenges.
Life-Altering Diagnosis
On a summer evening in 2023, while enjoying a movie at home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, Stern experienced a sudden health crisis that would forever change her life. After feeling unwell for several days, she lost consciousness. Following her mother Sheila‘s advice, the two visited North Memorial Hospital, where doctors conducted tests revealing that Stern had suffered five heart attacks that night.
After being stabilized, she was transferred to University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital, where she underwent two weeks of extensive testing. The results confirmed a rare genetic mutation known as PPH-2, which causes cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart muscle’s ability to function properly. To manage the condition, Stern required surgery to implant a defibrillator in her chest.
Throughout her hospitalization, Stern remained focused on returning to the basketball court, especially after showing significant promise during her freshman year and contributing to NDSU’s run in the Women’s NIT. “I kept thinking I had to get back to basketball, not knowing the severity of my condition,” she recalled.
Confronting Reality
After two weeks, stern faced the devastating news from her doctor: she could no longer play basketball. Her heart function had dropped to 20%, making it unsafe for her to compete at a collegiate level. “I was devastated. I’ve been playing basketball since kindergarten, and it was always my dream to be a college basketball player,” Stern shared, reflecting on her emotional turmoil.
This news came after a previous injury during her sophomore year of high school, when she endured a significant back injury. Yet, the current situation felt insurmountably different, as the sport she loved was being taken away permanently. The weight of this realization struck hard, not only for Stern but for her teammates and coaches, including NDSU head coach Jory Collins, who visited her in the hospital shortly after the diagnosis.
“It was hard to tell him I wouldn’t be able to play, especially since I planned to continue my career with him as a Bison,” Stern explained. “Telling my teammates was even harder; they had become like family to me.”
A New Chapter
Despite the challenges, Stern has returned to Fargo and is beginning her sophomore year, focusing on her recovery. She is currently on medication to support her heart and has commenced cardio rehabilitation, which includes walking exercises to regain her stamina. Doctors have underscored the rarity of her condition, revealing that statistically, she is fortunate to have survived childhood.
“I’m very grateful to be at this point in my life,” Stern remarked. “Normally, with this type of disease, many do not make it past infancy.”
In an inspiring turn of events, Stern is not stepping away from basketball entirely. Collins has ensured her continued involvement with the NDSU team, attending practices and supporting her teammates. She has embraced a new role, transitioning towards coaching and cheering on her team from the sidelines.
Moreover, Stern is taking her experience a step further by founding the Rare DNA Foundation, which aims to educate others about her condition and advocate for earlier diagnoses. “I’ve been inspired to do this,” she said. “It can help people understand the gene mutations, and it’s vital for people to discover these conditions sooner.”
As NDSU gears up for the upcoming season, Stern acknowledges the emotional difficulty of standing on the sidelines instead of playing. “I think I’m really going to miss it,” she expressed. “I love my team, and I’m grateful to be there, but it’s hard to know I won’t be out there playing.”
In sharing her story, Stern hopes to inspire others facing similar health challenges, proving that while the road ahead may be difficult, resilience and support can guide one through life’s unexpected turns.