North Texas Teen Overcomes Life-Threatening Health Issue, Now Breaking Track & Field Records

Dallas TX

13 August, 2021

9:21 AM

Description

CBS Dallas/Fort Worth August 13, 2021 A North Texas teen was fighting for his life this time last year. Now he's breaking records on the track — even making an appearance at a national meet. "I was stuck, like, I didn't know what to do. I just knew that God had a purpose and I knew that I had to have that surgery for something," 13-year-old Zeke Mankins told CBS 11 News. The eighth-grader is talking about the open-heart surgery he underwent last year. At the top of 2020, his cardiologist noticed a heart murmur. Test results revealed Zeke's heart valve was damaged— a medical issue that was life-threatening. CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.